William Herring Sr.

Dr. William Joseph Herring Sr., 76, of Jackson, MS, passed away on Tuesday, October 6, 2009, in Kosciusko, MS after a lengthy illness.
He was educated in public schools in Jackson and graduated from Mississippi College in 1954. He received his MME in 1960 from LSU. In 1973, he was awarded his doctorate from the University of Southern Mississippi.
He began his teaching career in 1956 as a band and choral director for public schools in Vicksburg, MS. Following a 4 year stint as choral director for Jackson, MS schools, he assumed a music teacher's position with the Ouachita Parish (LA) school system and in 1971 began a three year tenure as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Vocal Student Teachers at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He served 5 years as choral director at Westlake High School and 9 years as principal at Westwood Elementary School in Westlake, LA.
He also was the founder and first conductor of the Vicksburg Civic Chorus, served for 7 years as orchestra director for the Strauss Playhouse Theater of Monroe and was assistant director for the concert choir of the University of Southern Mississippi.
A retired lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve, Dr. Herring also served as conductor of the Naval Officers Glee Club of Long Beach California, and a minister of music at numerous churches in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Dr. Herring is past president of the Louisiana Music Educators Association and has received a number of honors in the music field. Among his highlights of his career was serving as musical director of the "Pat Boone Christmas Special" while in Monroe, and selected as one of the nation's 100 outstanding choral directors by the National Music Educators Journal.
After retirement he remained active in church, traveled across the country, enjoyed fishing and hunting. Bill was a Christian. He was hard working, loved his family and friends, and was best known for his devotion to music. He had an amazing life.
Dr. Herring is survived by his three children, Diana Herring Collins of Ridgeland, MS, William (Bill) Joseph Herring Jr. and his wife, Pam of Brandon, MS, and Joseph Trenton (Trent) Herring and his wife, Yenid of Little Rock, AR; two grandchildren, Lauren Collins and Katie Collins Galliano; and one brother, James Harold Herring.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Benton Herring Sr. and Minnie Mc Williams Herring; brother, Clarence Benton Herring Jr.; and sister, Minnie Gay Herring Boyles.
Family will received friends from 9:00 am Friday October 9, 2009, until the 11:00 am funeral service at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home on High Street in Jackson.
Dad will be sadly missed, forever in our hearts and always loved; God couldn't have sent us a better father or friend.