William Earl Clemmons

William (Bill) Earl Clemmons, 86, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2025, at Middlesex Memorial Hospital in Middletown after suffering a stroke two weeks earlier. Bill was born in Washington, North Carolina on August 11,1939. He built his life around his love for his family, music and music teaching, sports, especially tennis, and his church and church choir.

Bill graduated from Norfolk State University with a degree in music education, and taught band and choir in Hampton, VA., Washington, NC, and in 1967 moved to New Haven, CT., where he taught music, band, and chorus at Lincoln Bassett Elementary School and Jackie Robinson Middle School. In 1981, he moved to Robert Brown Middle School in Madison, CT to teach band, and retired from teaching in 2003. He continued to conduct the Shoreline Youth Symphony Orchestra in Madison, leading this group to many festivals, including a concert at Carnegie Hall in 2007, and community concerts on the Green in Madison through 2015.

Bill was a member of North Madison Congregational Church, and he conducted the choir there for more than 30 years. He continued to play tennis three times a week until he became ill. His church, choir, and his tennis friends were like family to him, and he cherished his getting to know them and being with them.

Bill’s generosity of spirit was unparalleled. All of his gifts of time, energy and love to the church – and the greater community – were voluntary and a donation from his heart. His support of every musician, no matter the talent level, encouraged many to try an instrument or sing a song they would never otherwise have pursued. He was passionate about helping people to achieve their very best!

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Lucy (Stith) Clemmons, his brother, James Daniel Clemmons, and his sister, Ann Sanders. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Ann (Haworth) Clemmons, his daughters Melinda Clemmons and Elizabeth (Clemmons) Knapp and his son in law Don Knapp of Portland, CT., his sister, Carolyn Smith, and many nieces and nephews.

The memorial service for Bill will be held at North Madison Congregational Church on August 23 at 10 am. Calling hours will be held Friday, August 22, from 5 to 7, also at North Madison Congregational Church, 1271 Durham Rd., Madison, CT.

Contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to the BILL CLEMMONS WONDERFUL WORLD FUND –which will perpetuate Bill’s love of encouraging music in church and community …c/o North Madison Congregational Church, 1271 Durham Rd., Madison, CT 06443 website: northmadisoncc.org (please note Wonderful World Fund on your gift)

We want to express our special thanks to the Madison EMT’s, Middlesex Hospital staff in Middletown, our Church family, his tennis and church friends, and the Madison community for their special support these last several weeks.