William Plaxico Whitesides Jr.

Bill was teaching voice at the University of Louisville School of Music when I was a student there from 1966 to 1972. I also taught Bill's son Edward music at the Kentucky Country Day School in Louisville. I greatly admired Bill's artistry as a tenor soloist, attended his recitals and performed in concerts with the Louisville Bach Society in which Bill was one of the featured soloists. My first wife, mezzo soprano Mary Lee Farris, also appeared in Kentucky Opera productions with Bill. ...

I was a voice student at West Virginia Wesleyan when Bill was a professor there. Although I never had him as a voice teacher, I spent many hours in the music building and had many brief encounters with Bill. I was also so thrilled to witness his enthusiasm for teaching music to his students. Every time we would have a department recital, I was always so impressed with the quality of his students singing! I hope Bill finds a spot in the heavenly chorus! Praying for his family in this...

I studied voice with Bill while he was at Ohio State. I drove every other weekend from WV to have a lesson - which was supposed to be an hour but generally turned into a whole Saturday morning. He sang several times at Wesleyan. He and I stayed in touch and when he and Demain returned to WV I was able to hire him to teach voice for us. We had some very talented students at that time and he was a wonderful teacher for them. He also went on one of our choir tours to Scotland - I have great...

Today I learned that William Whitesides passed away on May 1st, a victim of the Covid-19 pandemic. His death from this virus has become personal now, not just statistics and numbers. Many in Stockton will remember him from the years he taught voice at the University of the Pacific (1978-1996). I remember him when he was the Director of Music at the Cathedral of the Annunciation when I worked there from 1978-1980. When I told him that I was moving to Salinas he was thrilled! I was perplexed...

Dear Whitesides Family, My sincere condolences to you all. I have such fond memories of Bill and Demain and all of you at those wonderful parties at your home in Mirada. I always looked forward to going to your home, we had such fun there. I would still like the recipe to Demain's famous Bourbon Balls she always served at Christmas.
Much love and memories to you all. Marge Dehning
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