Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
December 5, 2001
Music director Bill Terry dies at 79
Beloved musician encouraged talents of all, friends say
By Mary E. Manley
Bill Terry, longtime director of music at Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora, died at age 79 on Nov. 25, after a brief illness.
"Most here at the parish remember Bill as always quite dapper and always happy, always smiling," said Donnamarie Irwin, Queen of Peace director of liturgy.
Rory Turro, who knew Terry since he became parish music director almost 20 years ago, recalled Terry as a generous, caring leader.
"Bill truly was a music minister, not only concerned with multiple technical concerns regarding his work, but more significantly, he wanted the musicians under his care to be nurtured and to have their talents shine," she said. "He was so involved in people's lives that he made himself available to everyone, including helping us raise our children."
The experience of her son Jason, who now studies music at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, is an example of the effect Terry had on people's lives, Turro said. Her son was encouraged by Terry to cultivate his talent as a drummer by playing for the parish, she said.
"Also, we now have second-generation choir members because Bill made everyone feel welcome when they were younger," she said.
Turro, a kindergarten teacher at St. Vincent de Paul School in Denver, said the beloved musician oversaw Queen of Peace music ministries even before he retired from full-time work as a printer industry salesman.
Terry converted to Roman Catholicism a decade ago, Turro said, adding that he had been raised a Methodist but attended Catholic schools as he grew up.
Recalling Terry's conversion, Turro, who served as parish liturgy director then, explained that because Terry was not clear on whether he had ever been baptized, the pastor, Father Bill Breslin, decided to conditionally baptize him and asked Turro to step in as his "conditional godmother."
She fondly recalled that when the National Association of Pastoral Musicians convened in Washington, D.C., this past July, Terry was honored as one of the top 25 professionals in the field.
Horst Buchholz, director of music at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, had accolades for Terry as well.
"In my two-and-a-half years working with Bill, he definitely was the best colleague that one could have," said Buchholz, who served with Terry on the Archdiocese of Denver Music Committee. "Very kind and gentle-hearted and very supportive and encouraging to me as a younger professional. He was well-respected by many musicians and clergy alike, and that says a lot."
Terry was born on May 14, 1922, in Beaver, W.Va., and attended the University of Denver. He served on the boards of Central City Opera Association, Colorado/Wyoming Hotel Sales and Marketing Association, March of Dimes, and Mercy Hospital. He served as sub-dean of the American Guild of Organists (Denver Chapter). Prior to his parish work, he was director at Grace United Methodist Church for 18 years.
Terry is survived by his widow, Grace, known as "Penny," his son, Charles, and daughter-in-law, Joan, along with two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A funeral Mass was held at Queen of Peace Church Nov. 29.
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