Henry Wilburn "Wil" Grizzle

Henry Wilburn Grizzle II, known to most as “Wil” and lovingly called “Pop” by his son and grandchildren, passed away on October 18, 2024, at the age of 77. Born in Athens, GA, on October 10, 1947, he was raised in Statham, GA, with his younger brother Bill Grizzle. Wil was a man who lived a life filled with music, humor, and love for his family.

Wil’s musical journey began in 5th grade with the clarinet, and by 15, he was already a paid musician—a career that would last a lifetime. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force Band from 1967 to 1971, after which he pursued further education in music at the University of Southern Mississippi, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in applied music.

In 1970, Wil married Dorothy (“Dottie”) Higgison. They first lived in Warner Robins, GA, before moving to Hattiesburg, MS, and then to Memphis, TN, where their son, Jon (JP), was born in 1978.

A gifted musician and craftsman, Wil taught high school band and private clarinet and saxophone lessons before working at Amro Music in Memphis. There, he honed his craft and ultimately started Grizzle’s Woodwind Shop. After Dottie went back to work from maternity leave, Wil worked full time in the new shop to care for JP, where customers would often entertain him while Wil fixed their horns.

In 1997, Wil and Dottie returned to Georgia to care for their aging parents, and although his battle with Rheumatoid Arthritis forced him to give up professional playing, Wil never stopped repairing instruments or mentoring his apprentice, Neil Newcomb, who became like family.

Beyond music, Wil loved playing pool, enjoying a good Scotch, and teasing his son about drummers being nothing more than “glorified carpenters.” His family fondly remembers the smell of his pipes and cigars, especially Jon, who as a child would ask Pop to blow pipe smoke into his blanket so it would smell like him.

As a daily morning greeting to his wife and how he greeted his grandchildren, “Cowabunga” became his signature phrase.

Wil is survived by his beloved wife, Dottie; his son, Jon, and daughter-in-law, Sara; and his cherished grandchildren, Nina, Jack, and Jacob; and his brother Billy. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Vietnam Veterans, a cause close to Wil’s heart.

Cowabunga, Pop! We’ll miss you.