Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
William Francis "Bill" Montgomery
William Francis "Bill" Montgomery
Obituary
Guest Book
William Montgomery Obituary
Bill's passion for music was evident from a young age, leading him to pursue extensive studies in this field. He completed his education at Idaho State University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance, followed by a Master's from the University of Nevada, Reno where he studied Music Composition. His academic journey continued as he furthered his expertise at Louisiana State University where he obtained his PhD in Music Composition.
Professionally, Bill dedicated his life to the world of music as an adjunct music professor at Idaho State University. His remarkable talent not only enriched the lives of his students but also brought his innovative compositions to audiences across various states and countries.
Bill's legacy is carried on by his loving family, including his wife, Abigail (Heuer) Montgomery; his daughters, Sierra Scalf, Mercedes Montgomery, and Chloe Montgomery; and his son, Isaac Montgomery. He also leaves behind his ever devoted mother, Tracy Montgomery. Bill was preceded in death by his grandparents, Karl Trace Montgomery and Francis Montgomery.
Bill's life was a testament to his dedication to music and education, and his influence will continue to resonate within the community and beyond. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
There will be a celebration of life with the Idaho State University symphonic band, where they will premiere his latest piece written for the band and his beloved piano instructor, Mark Neiwirth. Additional details will be available with the music department at ISU.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Michael Benner
November 11, 2024
I just found about Bill’s passing from an old acquaintance from my time at Idaho State. Although Bill and I didn’t stay in touch over the years, during our time together at ISU and in the music department, Bill was a shining light and someone who I could tell was passionate about everything. About life, music, education, and his family and friends. I know he was very active in the Idaho music education community which reflected his love of teaching, music, and most importantly the youth he inspired through those things. Condolences however late it may be to his family and close friends, not hopefully solace taken in a short life well spent.
- Michael Benner
Keanna Catley
August 27, 2024
I was a CNA that took care of Bill. It was an absolute honor to be able to take care of Mr. Bill in the ICU. I always enjoyed conversations with him and his bright personality bringing joy to our whole team. I want to thank Bill for all the smiles he gave everyone it truly was infectious and made our days so much better!
Tracy & Abigail thank you for always being so kind to our team, we loved to hear your voices and you two were always so helpful to our team.
Our team wants you guys to know how much you guys are loved, along with Bill. We will never forget you guys <3
Madelyn Bell
August 27, 2024
I was a nurse that took care of Bill and we all grew very fond of him during his long ICU stay. His glasses were an absolute hit! Everyone loved them and we immediately knew that this would be a fun guy to get to know. He never let his emotions get the best of him and was always in high spirits, despite all odds. I have had few patients in my 5 years of being an ICU nurse that were always that pleasant to take care of.
Cara Howell
August 24, 2024
What a remarkable man Bill was. Didn't know him very long but was amazed at his resilience with what life dealt him. He took such wonderful care of his family. I was so fortunate to know him. He will be greatly missed!
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
DJ McCarty
August 16, 2024
I will miss Bill so much. I first met him at ISU music camp back in the 90s. We also played in the musical Godspell at ISU around the time he had his heart transplant and I was going through cancer treatments. We have been friends for years and I have always enjoyed our times together. I am so glad for the time I have known him, and will miss him. Prayers for his family, friends and students.
Mark Neiwirth
August 14, 2024
Homage to Bill Montgomery
August 2024
The angel of Bill Montgomery came into my life when he was just a boy, nine years old. Soon after we started piano lessons, he had to be whisked away to Primary Children´s Hospital in Salt Lake City for one of his many heart operations and procedures. I decided to make the trip to visit him, but since I am not a family member, it was challenging to gain admittance into his intensive care unit. Finally I said, "but I´m his piano teacher." They let me in.
Not knowing what to expect, I gingerly approached his gurney. There was a little Buddha, so calm and wise and quiet, with tubes coming into him and going out of him, his lips purple. He looked at me and his eyes lit up, as much as they could under his condition. I made some small talk, because who knows what to say to a young someone in that condition? After a while (I even got him to laugh!) I said, "Bill, you have gone through more than anyone you know your age. You will not be able to describe and make anyone realize what you have been through. You will have wisdom that no one ever will be able to understand." More than thirty years later he told me that he remembered that visit practically verbatim when I went to visit him last June after his heart/liver transplant.
When he was about fourteen, after he had returned to his previous teacher, he attended our music camp at Idaho State University. I noticed that he had a fairly profound problem with sight reading music, even though he could play the piano quite well by memory and with some degree of maturity. He expressed interest in taking lessons with me again in the fall, so when we started lessons again, I noticed that he could sight read fairly fluently only three months after the music camp. "Bill, what happened? You´re sight reading really well. Why?" "Well," he said, "it dawned on me how important it is, so I figured out how to do it." We all know that learning to sight read is a years-long process, and it was at that point I realized Bill was no ordinary student.
Knowing his history of profound heart issues from infancy, and knowing that modern medicine made his life even possible, I consider people who have gone through such miraculous surgeries as angels on earth. They have not had to move on to another world as a result of the fortunate time we live in. Even fifty years ago, Bill probably would not have been with us for very long.
Every time I encountered Bill, to me he had an aura around him, a halo, as it were. To him, life was usual, if frightening, not knowing at any moment if his heart could turn on him, or just stop. And obviously he learned to be patient and brave with every turn of events, in and out of hospitals many times. I cannot begin to imagine the doubt, the terror, the pain, the constant turmoil he must have been through. But he kept going. And going. And through it all he was always cheerful. Go figure.
During the years he studied piano with me, I was always amazed at the SOUND he got from the piano. I always said that he could make any piano sound like a Steinway, and I have no idea how he conceived music to get such a gorgeous sound. On some level I attributed it to his otherworldly experience of being here (if I may borrow the hackneyed expression) on borrowed time.
Years later, when he was a student at ISU and even later when he returned to serve on the ISU faculty, I would see him in the back of the percussion section of the symphonic band or orchestra, with his big stature and his red eyeglasses shining at us. I always thought it remarkable that he was such a passionate percussionist with a heart that may not keep the same beat that his mind dictated. Or vice versa. But he was always there, right on the beat, nonetheless.
Last January I went to see him a couple of weeks after he had been admitted to the University of Utah Medical Center. At that point he would have to wait for two months before a suitable heart/liver donor became available. He was still the Bill I always knew, with the same aura, the same glow. At that point we both had all the hopes in the world that he would pull through and go on with a new and productive life.
The next seven months were a monumental trial for the man who had an iron will and a passion for life and for music. The last, and third time I visited him, I took his hands, cursing the fact that I had to have latex gloves in the ICU, and told him with all my heart, "Bill, I am a very healthy sixty-seven year old man. I have many good years ahead of me. But I would give you more than ten years of my life if you could go on. So, when it seems that you can´t stand it and want to give up, just think of me, and I will send you all the healing vibes any time you need it."
I love you, Bill Montgomery. I have always loved you. Thank you, Bill, for all you have given to me and to the world.
{Mark Neiwirth}
Nanette
August 13, 2024
Bill was such a part of college life. Constantly keeping the tables occupied. Helping derps like me with theory and form. He was generous with his knowledge. And so funny. Miss you, bud.
Nanette
August 13, 2024
Bill was just... such a part of daily life at the FA building. He helped me hobble along in theory and form. He was always so genuine. Funny. Up for adventure. I'm so glad our paths crossed.
Kristie petersen
August 13, 2024
Bill was an amazing person. I´ll never forget the first time I met him and felt an overwhelming sense of warmth, welcome, and dedication to music in Reno (and beyond). I´m so sorry to hear of his passing and my heart goes out to his family during this hard time.
Kayla Crawley (Prescott)
August 13, 2024
I will never forget Bill!!! We met our sophomore year at Highland high school in band!! He was a tuba player and a silly guy at that but EXTREMELY talented. I am so glad that I have our high school years to treasure and the few years we worked at Pocatello High School for the marching band, he was the drumline instructor and I was the colorguard instructor! He was always such a great person and so caring. My middle daughter(youngest at the time) lost her giraffe blanket in Walmart of all places, well I put the word out there it was lost at Walmart and Bill worked there at the time and he reached out to me and said he had found it!!! She was so happy!!! I have so many more but those are the ones that I felt I needed to share. I will miss you lots Bill and I will always cherish the memories I have with you!!!!
Ulises Ramirez
August 13, 2024
I remember first seeing Bill at marching band camp at ISU my freshman year and the first thing I noticed was his contagious laughter and how he was always smiling. He always gave me so many words of wisdom whenever I was feeling down. Countless great memories of playing in ensembles with him, hanging out, band trips. I´ll always remember him.
Austin Franklin
August 13, 2024
We took a few classes together at LSU and regularly hung out to talk about music and other things while he was at LSU (he was graduating as I was entering my studies). He was always very outgoing and personable, and everyone felt comfortable and welcome around him. I also remember spending time with his wonderful family. Thinking about you all. Rest in Peace.
Sheryl Heuer
August 12, 2024
I met Bill for the first time when Abbie's dad and I went to school to pick her up for the weekend. Bill was there with her, carrying her backpack. He looked at us with these sweet puppy dog eyes like he was hoping so much that we'd like him.
I didn't know then how much I would grow to love him.
Morgan Broce
August 12, 2024
I will never forget the time Bill completely tipped over an ENTIRE hotbox of baked beans when we worked at LSU catering together. Ever since that day, the joke has always been "don´t tell Bill any of your secrets- he´ll spill the beans!". Rest in Peace Bill, you will be missed
Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results
Make a Donation
in William Montgomery's name
How to support William's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor William Montgomery's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
