William Land

William "Bill" Land, 82, of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away on February 5, 2026, surrounded by family.

Bill was born October 6, 1943, in Milwaukee WI and raised in Waukesha WI by his parents, William and Alice Land.

He graduated from Waukesha High School in 1961, studied at Vandercook College of Music in Chicago, and earned his Bachelor of Education in Music Education from Whitewater Wisconsin State College in 1966, where he was a proud member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He later completed a Master of Science in Education (Music Education) from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Music found him early in life - and he spent the rest of his years making sure it found other people too. Bill began teaching as band director at Big Foot High School in Lake Geneva WI, and later at Seymour High School in Seymour WI. From 1969–1971 he served in the United States Army as a member of the 283rd Army Band, blending service and music in a way that suited him perfectly. A quiet example of reinvention, over the years he served as Admissions Director at Lakeland College in Sheboygan WI, educational sales in West Bend WI, and technical sales in Cary, IL for 17 years where he coached in the Cary Youth Baseball Program. In 2000, he moved with his wife, Karen, to Scottsdale AZ, and retired after driving a school bus for the Scottsdale School District for over 7 years, a role he loved for the daily chance to care for students.

For Bill, music was never just a profession-it was something he brought with him wherever he went. He loved the band Chicago, encouraged his daughter with her flute and his son with his trumpet during his jazz band and swing dance years. Happiest when a room moved together, for eleven years Bill played trumpet with The Vonell's, a Waukesha WI wedding and dance band, where he filled rooms with laughter and songs that demanded people sing along. But those who knew him best understood that what he truly loved was people. Bill took care of others instinctively and quietly, helping wherever he could and listening with full attention. He had a dry sense of humor that could both catch you off guard and fill you with delight, yet he was never too serious to be silly - especially with his children.

In 1969 he married Karen Lee, beginning a marriage that lasted 56 years and became a living example of devotion. Their story began with persistence - Karen was engaged to someone else when they first met! - but true love (along with Bill's infectious smile) insisted and endured, and together they built a life grounded in loyalty, laughter, shared curiosity, and lots and lots of tennis- playing and watching matches side by side with Karen - another of the many small rituals that defined their partnership.

As a father, Bill was endlessly expressive with his love and pride. His children awed him, and he never hesitated to tell them so. His support was practical as well as emotional. He and Karen often took their children camping, winter vacations in Florida, and visiting the sights in California and Colorado, instilling in them a lifelong sense of closeness and family belonging. He once drove from Arizona to Texas just to dog-sit for his son; and though he said he had no interest in leaving the United States, when his daughter was accepted into an art master's program in London, he visited - twice. The experience awakened a curiosity that carried him and Karen together, including travels through Europe. He remained throughout his life both a constant presence and a quiet example of reinvention: open to growth, open to change, open to wherever love asked him to go.

He is survived by his wife, Karen; his children, Christopher (Arlington, Texas) and Stephanie and her wife Hafizah (Brooklyn, New York); and his grandchildren, Bronx and Kulthum, who brought him deep joy.

Bill will be remembered as a man who listened carefully, loved openly, and showed up - again and again - for the people in his life. Whether conducting music, sharing a joke, driving a long road to help, or sitting beside someone who needed company, he created a feeling of steadiness and welcome.

His life was measured not in accolades but in care: in the students he encouraged, the family he cherished, and the countless ordinary moments he made feel safe and important. Let it be remembered: Bill Land filled the world with music.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 21, 2026, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. at the Scottsdale Ranch Community Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's honor may be made to Harmony Project Phoenix, dedicated to changing young people's lives through music.