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Harold Varney Obituary

VARNEY Harold William (Bill) Varney, 77, of Fairhope, a two-time Oscar winner and former Vice President of Sound for Universal Studios in Hollywood, died Saturday, April 2, in Fairhope where he and his family have lived since 2003. Varney won his Best Sound Oscars for "The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) and "Raiders Of The Lost Ark" (1981). He also was nominated for the motion pictures, "Back To The Future" and "Dune," plus was nominated for an Emmy for the television series, "Roots," and was the recipient of numerous other sound and motion picture industry awards. Varney worked on an extended list of other blockbuster hits including remakes of Hitchcock's "Rear Window" and other classics for Turner MGM. His career in sound spanned 40 years ending with his retirement from Universal in 2001. Born in Beverly, Massachusetts, January 22, 1934, one of Varney's early jobs was as a disc jockey on a nearby New Hampshire radio station. He moved to California in 1961. In addition to his career, he was a pilot and enjoyed building train sets and boating. In Fairhope, Varney was a member of the board of the Rock Creek Property Owners Association and Saint James Episcopal Church. He also was a patron of the Mobile Opera and volunteered with Theater 98 in Fairhope. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne, and daughter, Lisa. A memorial service will place Friday, April 8, at Saint James Episcopal Church, 860 N. Section Street, Fairhope, at 10 a.m. Visitation will be 30 minutes prior at 9:30 a.m. in Green parish hall of the church. Memorials may be made to the Motion Picture Television Fund, P.O. Box 51150, Los Angeles, CA 0051-9706.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Press-Register on Apr. 5, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Harold Varney

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March 17, 2012

I'm sad to learn of Bill's death. We transferred to Swampscott schools on the same day in 7th grade. I have a wealth of lovely memories of him. He was special. My thoughts are with his family. Ruth Nies, Brunswick, Maine

March 2, 2012

It is with great sadness to see of Bill's passing on the Oscars. The Class of 1952 Swampscott High School were always very proud of Bill's achievements. He was a great classmate and we all had a lot of good times at SHS. My best to Susy and Lisa. Bill was a special man who we all loved to be with. Jan Nordin, Swampscott MA

1983

Penny Ronning

February 28, 2012

Susie and Lisa, I think of you so often...and most especially this past Sunday night (Oscar night). My heart embraces you with lovely and loving memories.

Diana Wright

February 27, 2012

My condolences to the Varney family. I worked with Bill for many years at Universal Studios. He always had a smile and a great sense of humor. I heard of his loss last night during the Oscars..a fitting memorial to such a wonderful man.

Rupert Rodriguez

February 26, 2012

Condolences to the Varney family. They were my next door neighbors in Glendale, CA. I remember him fondly with all the project he worked on in his workshop. Also remember his wife and daughter Lisa (classmate at Wilson Jr. High) and their white West Highland terrier.

Mike and Barb Mercer

February 26, 2012

We met Bill and Suzanne on a cruise ship to Alaska. We had a great time and shared many stories. Bill was a lovely man and made our trip very special. God speed Bill.

Oscars for everyone!

Steve Maslow

January 27, 2012

"Ordinary People" crew shot

Steve Maslow

January 27, 2012

Crew Shot for "The Man with Two Brains"

Steve Maslow

January 27, 2012

Yvonne Claudius

January 25, 2012

Loving thoughts to Bill's Family from the daughter of an old friend, Pierre Gerster, of Columbia, California.

David Parsons

August 3, 2011

I first met Bill in Manchester NH when he was a disc jockey for WKBR (if memory can be trusted). He and I became good friends for a two year period before Uncle Sam took me for a couple of years and so we lost touch. He was a good friend, a great guy and he deserved all of the honors that he won. I have thought of him many times in the past 55 years not realising that we probably lived in the Angeles at the same time.

Madeline Hall

April 20, 2011

I never even knew Mr. Varney, but I was looking through the obituaries and came across his. He sounds like a person that I would liked to have known. He left this life so early. My condolences to his family.

Bruce Botnick

April 8, 2011

Bill was very generous to me and my music mixing for film is better because of Bill, he mentored me in the art of the film mix, the performance. Thanks Bill for your wisdom, humor and kindness. Bruce Botnick

Larry Walsh

April 8, 2011

Bill- you were my mentor. You will live forever in my memories. My condolences to Suzanne and Lisa.

Raiders Of The Lost Ark mix c.1980

Kevin O'Connell

April 8, 2011

There are many people in my life that have contributed to my career, but there is only one person that I can say is responsible for me having a career and that is Bill Varney.
When most people in Hollywood were afraid to train the next generation, Bill embraced it. The best part is that he made it fun.

Bill was a giant in the world of Post Production Sound but his greatest attribute was his core values of family and the unconditional loving relationship he had with his wife Suzy and daughter Lisa.

He made me want to be a better father and husband.

I feel honored to have known him.

April 8, 2011

There is nothing I can say that is sufficient...you were a mentor, a friend, and a kindred spirit.
David "Doc" Goldstein

Penny Ronning

April 7, 2011

My Precious Host Dad, my heart is overwhelmed with emotion as I type these words. All of you have lived in my heart with me every day since I stayed in your home in 1983. Bill, as a young woman of 20, you inspired my future education and career path. How blessed my life has been because you, Suzanne, and Lisa touched my heart and set me on a wonderful path. Memories fill my mind right now and I am overwhelmed. I have lived all over the USA and the world -- taking my Easter basket with me every where I have lived. To this day, the most beautiful, most memorable, and most special Easter holiday I've ever spent was with all of you in Pasadena. My heart embraces you, Bill, my wonderful host Dad. I will talk with you in my prayers.

Kevin Collier

April 7, 2011

I worked with Bill & Doc at Universal until 1995. We had some great times together....some of my most cherished memories of being in this crazy business. A great man that will be missed. My sincerest condolances to Suzie and lisa.

David Whittaker

April 7, 2011

A gentle giant in the movie sound industry passes, and his colleagues all sigh with a heavy heart, grateful for having known him. I'll remember Bill fondly as the patient man who mixed my 1st film as a supervising sound editor, as well as the gentleman who years later graciously returned to the mix console long after leaving mixing to be sound director at Universal in order to satisfy an old director client. I'll also remember him as the guilty party who hooked me on the just-introduced Haagen-Dazs bars at the Universal Corner Store :-)

Lydian Tone

April 7, 2011

Rest in peace Bill.

God is invisible and so we become.

Tami Hulcher

April 6, 2011

A giant man with a gentle heart. Peace be with you, boss. You are loved. Blessings and prayers to Suzanne and Lisa.

April 6, 2011

"I worked with Bill on "Raiders". I was just starting out and he was generous with his knowledge and supportive. He was a gentleman and he will be remembered. " Bruce Green

Mike WIlhoit

April 6, 2011

We first met in 1974. Miss you.

Louise Molen

April 6, 2011

Bill, you will be missed. My condolences and love to Susie and Lisa. Keep the twinkle in your eye!

Steve Maslow

April 6, 2011

"May the force be with you"

Lawana Wesley

April 5, 2011

Lisa,
Your dad was the so nice. I missed seeing him, when I moved to the Daphne store. Your family at Publix has you in their thoughts. God bless you. Lawana Wesley

Jack Morrow

April 5, 2011

I enjoyed working with Bill Varney on the Rock Creek Board of Directors. He has been a good friend and neighbor. All of us in Rock Creek will miss him.
Our condolences to the Varney family.

Marty Sidman

April 5, 2011

Bill and I were DJs together at WKBR in Manchester, NH in the late 50's. I have many fond memories of the crazy stunts we pulled and the good times we had together. My sincerest condolences to your family. Bill was a great guy and will be missed, I know.

Linc Reed-Nickerson

April 5, 2011

Remembering Bill from all those years ago at WKBR.

Ginger Parnell

April 5, 2011

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Kathy Kendrick

April 5, 2011

My condolences.

April 5, 2011

Suzanne and Lisa,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. It was a pleasure meeting Bill at Christmas. We appreciate the time he spent with Josh!

Love to you both,

Kasey and Jim

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