Obituary of William Snead

William C. (Bill) Snead, 86, of Roanoke died at his home on Sunday afternoon, May 1, 2011. Bill was born in South Boston, VA, on July 18, 1924, to the late William Carrington Snead and Grace Dean Vaughn Snead. He spent the major portion of his life, with the exception of three years in the South Pacific Theatre of Operations during World War II, in his beloved Virginia. He graduated from William and Mary College-Richmond Professional Institute after the war with a degree in music education. He held a position as Music and Band Director with a consolidated school system in eastern Virginia. There he took pride in his marching band which took prizes in several state competitions under his direction. In the 1960's he moved to Roanoke, Virginia and began a life-long career in the home improvement industry. He loved the work, founded and successfully ran the Southwest Sunroom and Window Company until he sold his business in his 80th year and retired. Bill's love of instrumental music, and his delight in tennis as both spectator and player, filled a great portion of his retirement years. He played trombone with the Roanoke Community Band, Northwest Jazz Band, a trombone ensemble at Roanoke College and made great strides as an instrumentalist under the tutelage of friends and instructors. Both his purity of tone and his prowess on the trombone delighted not only himself but his fellow musicians. His lifetime partner, helpmate and trusted companion Donna Webb, his older sister Agnes Snead Libath of Valley Stream, NY; his younger sister, Juanita Snead Fowler and husband Dick Fowler of Kalamazoo, MI, together with their families, mourn his passing, miss his presence, but treasure his memory. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice 2408 Electric Road Roanoke, Virginia 24018. On line condolences may be sent to www.simpsonfuneral.com A memorial service will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, May 6, 2011 at Simpson Funeral Home 5160 Peters Creek Road by the Rev. Walter L. Wood. The family will receive friends following the service. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home & Crematory. 366-0707