William "Terry" Boone

William "Terry" Boone, a retired prominent Hannibal High School band director for over 30 years, died Thursday, Oct. 25, after a short stay in hospice care following a 10-year battle with cancer.

Terry was the band director for the Hannibal High School system from 1963 to 1995. He was born and raised in Junction City, Kan., and graduated from high school there in 1952. He attended Kansas Wesleyan on a basketball scholarship and later transferred to Central Missouri State College to play basketball. He later enrolled in its music program. His focus shifted from sports to music, and he graduated with a master's degree in music education. He met the love of his life, Elizabeth Renken, there, and they were married for 62 years until his death.

Terry taught music in Appleton City, Mo., then Leadwood, before he moved his family to Hannibal in 1963.

While the director of music in Hannibal, he was able to add curriculum for the students, including the jazz band. The high school and junior high bands won many awards in state and local competitions, and Terry was inducted into the Missouri State Educators Hall of Fame in 1994. The Terry Boone award gives scholarships to the outstanding band member each year at Hannibal High School.

In addition to his music, Terry was an avid tennis player, winning many regional tennis tournaments. He taught his three sons to play tennis, and all of them played in high school and in college.

Terry would always say his greatest achievement in life was talking Elizabeth "Liz" into going out with him and becoming his wife. Elizabeth Boone is also a retired educator from the Hannibal school system. She was a former sixth-grade teacher and elementary principal in Hannibal.

Terry is survived by his wife; three sons, David and Michael of St. Charles, and Stephen of Chesterfield; three grandsons, Bradley, Brett and Drew; and a brother, Ted, of Kansas City.

SERVICES: 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Smith Funeral Home and Chapel, Hannibal. A graveside service and burial will follow in Grand View Burial Park.

MEMORIALS: Terry Boone Outstanding Band Member Award Attn: Mr. Stelley Board of Education 4650 McMasters Ave. Hannibal MO 63401

ARRANGEMENTS: Smith Funeral Home and Chapel.

WEBSITE: smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com

Condolences may be expressed online at whig.com.