Willis was born January 3, 1935, in Plainview to Willis Giddens Sr. and Alma Sanford Giddens. He moved with his family to Littlefield in 1937 where his younger brother, Joe, joined the family.
Willis began band in 5th grade and thus began a lifelong love for music that led to a career as a public-school band director. He graduated from Littlefield High School in 1953 and McMurry University in 1957. In addition to playing in the high school band and college band he had additional instruction at the Gunnison Music Camp in Gunnison, Colorado, and had lessons from famed trumpeter, Rafael Mendez.
His love for music and directing was superseded only by his interest and talent in bringing out the best in his students and preparing them for a successful future. His first directing job was in Shamrock where he taught six years, which was followed by seven years in Friona, and then twenty-seven years in Plainview, where he retired in 1999. He met his wife, Jane, in Plainview and they were married on Christmas Day, 1971.
Willis had much success as a band director as his bands won sweepstakes, 1st division ratings and outstanding stage band awards. Although gratifying, these accomplishments were secondary to the importance he placed on guiding his many students to be the very best they could be in band and in life.
Willis was a lifelong Methodist serving in leadership positions in several churches. He belonged to the Lions Club, Rotary Club, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. He served on the Plainview Symphony board and the Plainview Community Concerts Association board. He was inducted into the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 2002.
In addition to his college band director, Dr. Raymond T. Bynum, who had a great influence on Willis, he had many close friends among band directors during his career and counted them as valuable friends and cohorts. He was a member of a group of retired band directors who met each Friday morning for breakfast and companionship.
Willis was preceded in death by his parents Willis and Alma Giddens and an infant sister, Constance.
He is survived by his wife, Jane, of Lubbock; his brother Joe Giddens and wife Doris of Post; nieces Danna Mantooth and husband Rick of San Angelo, and Holly Brake and husband Shelby of Lubbock; and nephew Wade Giddens and wife Bonnie of San Antonio. In addition, he had one great-niece, Elizabeth Calhoun and husband Levi of San Angelo and five great-nephews Clayton Brake and wife Calley of Lubbock, Evan Brake of Austin, Calvin Giddens of Austin, Ben Giddens of Austin and Matthew Giddens of Lubbock. He also had two great-great nieces Jemma Calhoun and Navy Jane Brake and one
great-great nephew Dean Calhoun.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18