William R. LeFevre
Wed, 05/28/2014 - 8:19pm
News Staff
William (Bill) R. LeFevre, 85, of Montrose, passed away on Sunday, May 11. He was born in Gunnison on August 30, 1928, to the late William S. and Georgia Andrews LeFevre. Bill graduated from Gunnison High School and received a bachelor’s degree in music education from Western State College in 1951. He went on to earn master’s degrees in music from Western State College and the University of Southern California. He married Carolyn Schindel on July 13, 1952. Their marriage lasted nearly 62 years. Before coming to Montrose in 1962, Bill taught in Manzanola; Florence; Cortez; Colorado Springs; North Hollywood, Calif.; and Victorville, Calif. During his 23 years in Montrose, he taught band at the grade schools and junior high. At Montrose High School, he directed the choirs and the marching, concert and jazz bands. Bill was one of the first directors in the state of Colorado to use the “drum corps” style marching band. Bill brought music to Montrose as the director of the community band that held summer concerts on the steps of the Montrose County Court House. He and his band parents also sponsored the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force bands who gave marvelous concerts in Montrose. He was instrumental in bringing “Drums Along the Rockies” competitions for several years. And in a moving and inspiring finale on September 29, 2013, Bill delivered his final public performance as a guest conductor for the Montrose Community Band. He passed peacefully while listening to his favorite Sousa marches. As a master woodworker, Bill crafted a beautiful cradle used by his seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. This family heirloom will continue to be used for generations to come. Bill and his wife Carolyn used their artistic talents creating stained glass panels, lamps, angels and many other popular stained glass pieces. As the owners of Windsinger Stained Glass, they participated in art shows coast to coast for 20 years. As a man of many talents, Bill was also an avid bowler and loved to fish. Last summer, he went fishing with his son, Gregg, every Thursday. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his two sisters, Dana LeFevre and Betty Jo Carr. Bill is survived by his wife, Carolyn; three sons: Rick (Julie), Gregg, and Mike (Carmela); seven grandchildren: Tom (Tiffany), Laura, Ashley, Amber (JT) Holmes, Chelsea, James, and Tori; and two great-grandsons: Landon and Cooper. The family would like to thank the staffs of PACE and the Valley Manor Rehab Center for the outstanding care they provided. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home in Montrose. A celebration of Bill’s life is planned for Saturday, August 30, at 10 a.m., at the New Life Family Worship Center, 15 West Main, Montrose. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages tax-free donations in Bill’s honor to: Montrose Community Band, PO Box 3383, Montrose, CO 81401.
