Arkadelphia, Ark. —
William Francis McBeth passed away on Jan. 6, 2012. He was born March 9, 1933, in Ropesville, Texas, to Dr. J.P. and Lillie May McBeth.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; sister, Laura Fay Thaxton; brother, Harold McBeth; daughter, Laura Murphy and her husband Todd; son, Matthew McBeth and his wife Susan; and three grandchildren, Kate, Joe and Carolyn.
McBeth attended Hardin-Simmons University and played in the Cowboy Band in Abilene, Texas, where he was presented the Presley Award for outstanding bandsman at Hardin-Simmons. He served in the military from 1954 to 1956 with the 101st Airborne Band and 98th Army Band. His works led to many appearances as a guest conductor, where he often conducted premiere performances of some of his compositions. The majority of his works were published by Southern Music Company of San Antonio, Texas. His conducting activities have taken him to 49 states, three Canadian provinces, Japan and Australia. His "Double Pyramid Balance System" is a widely used pedagogical tool in the concert band world.
McBeth attended University of Texas and Eastman School of Music. In 1963 he was presented the Howard Hanson Composition Award. He was named the Arkansas State Composer Laureate and conducted the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra from 1970 to 1973.
He taught music theory and composition at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, for 39 years from 1957 until his retirement in 1996 as Professor Emeritus and Distinguished University Professor. He was a member of Phi Beta Mu, Kappa Kappa Psi, Kappa Mu Alpha, Tri-M Honorary Music Society, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and president of American Bandmasters Association.
He received the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Medal of Honor in 1999 and the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia’s American Man of Music in 1988.
Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 2 p.m. Memorials may be sent to Ouachita Baptist University. Sign the online guest book at www.ruggleswilcox.com.