Obituary of Wilbur Grant

Wilbur E. Grant, 73, of Salem passed away Wednesday, June 13, 2012. He was preceded in death by his second wife, Nancy Herron Grant (1969-2000) and his third wife Loretta Grant. A native of Winchester, Virginia Wilbur received a BME degree from Shenandoah Conservatory and a MMS degree from Radford University. Wilbur began playing saxophone and clarinet professionally at the age of 12. He taught music in Virginia public schools for 34 years and was solo clarinetist with the Handley High School Band, Winchester, VA; solo clarinetist and student Conductor with the Shenandoah Conservatory Concert Band. Also Wilbur was the second clarinetist with the Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra and The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. He has performed with Myron Florin, The Box Tops, The Four Seasons, Bobby Goldsboro, Liberace, Patsy Cline (when she was still using her maiden name of Virginia Hensley), Englebert Humperdinck, The Mill Mountain Theatre Orchestra, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Teresa Brewer, Floyd Cramer, Boots Randolph, Sonny & Cher, The Ice Capades, Holiday On Ice, Barnum and Bailey Circus, The Royal Lippezanner Stallions, Disney on Parade, The Shrine Circus, The Stylist Orchestra (part owner), The Freddie Lee Orchestra, The Bob LeFever Orchestra, as well as others. Wilbur studied clarinet with Harold Wright the Principal Clarinetist of The National Symphony and later the Boston Symphony. At the time of his death he was serving as the director of the Roanoke Valley Community Band and was recently selected as President and Conductor of the Kazim Shrine Band, known as the Noblemen, and was Director of the Old Pros of Dublin, Virginia. Surviving are his daughters, DeeDee Parker and husband David of Chesapeake; Deb Grant-Marsh and husband Jared of Boston, Mass; granddaughters, Kimmi and Kasey Parker; "his girl" Linda Lemon of Salem and three nephews, David, Jeffrey, and Jamie Corvin. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Roanoke Valley Bird Club, the National Kidney Foundation or to the Roanoke Valley Community Band Scholarship Fund. A celebration of Wilbur's life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 16, 2012 in the Auditorium of Glenvar High School 4549 Malus Drive Salem. The family will receive friends following the service. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home & Crematory. 366-0707