Willard Joseph "Bill" Gulley, Sr.

Bill Gulley, Sr., was born March 13, 1928, in Springfield, Mo., to Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Landon Gulley. He passed peacefully on June 10, 2021, surrounded by his beloved family. He was proceeded in death by his brothers, Robert E. Gulley, Fred Loren Gulley of Springfield, Mo., and Clifton Lee Gulley of San Marcos,Tx., and his sister, Margaret Elizabeth McMillan. Bill married Carol Jean Sias from Bolivar, Mo., on May 22, 1950. Carol passed away January 4, 1995.

Bill and Carol's over 44-year marriage was blessed with 3 children. Bill is survived by his loving family,Willard Joseph Gulley, Jr. and fiancé Sherry Hawk, Teresa Laree Moore & son-in-law, Dale Lynn Moore, and James Brian Gulley, all of Springfield, Mo. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Richard Gulley of Haslet, Tx., Dan Gulley, Kelly Sager, Justin Gulley, and Cortnie Gulley, all of Springfield, Mo., 5 step-grandchildren Michael Moore, Joseph Moore, Charles Moore, Robert Moore all of Springfield, Mo., and Anna Holdren of Forsyth, Mo. Bill also had 10 great-grandchildren, 11 step-grandchildren and 2 step-great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bill attended Springfield Public Schools and graduated in 1946 from Springfield (Central) High School. He graduated from Southwest Missouri State College in 1950, with a Bachelor of Science in Education –Diploma in French Horn. He was Drum Major for the Marching Bears Band and Carol Sias was the Featured Twirler. He later earned a Master of Education degree from Drury University in 1968. He was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity at SMS.

In the summer of 1949, while a student at SMS, Bill was nominated by Dr. Kenneth Dustman to receive the prestigious Boston Symphony-RCA Victor Scholarship, awarded to only the very top French Horn musicians in the country. This honor entitled him to study at Tanglewood in Lenox, Ma. During his time at Tanglewood, he studied with the renowned music director of the Boston Symphony, Serge Koussevitzky, as well as Leonard Bernstein. The guest composer that summer at Tanglewood was Aaron Copeland. His principal horn teacher at Tanglewood, was Alphonse Pelletier of the Pittsburg Symphony. He also sang with the Tanglewood Festival chorus, performing in concert a Bach Cantata with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The faculty at Tanglewood were so impressed with his musicianship, that he was recommended for a full scholarship to the University of Iowa, but he decided to return to Springfield and finish his remaining year at SMS.

Bill played French Horn with the Springfield Symphony for 42 years, longer than any wind instrument player. In fact, when he joined the Springfield Symphony at age 16, he was the youngest member to have ever been invited. He was also a member of the Missouri State University Community Band for many years and loved playing with so many other musicians from all walks of life, who shared a passion for all types of music. He was a first lieutenant in the National Guard for 22 ½ years and served as the Band Master for the 135 ^th Army Band.

He was a gifted musician and teacher who taught in the Springfield Public School system for 34 years. His living room on South Kings became a practice studio after school, where countless music lessons were given day after day while Carol prepared family dinner. Bill was especially honored to be selected in 1963, as the first band director at newly opened Glendale High School. His long teaching career would also take him to Jarrett Jr. High, where he taught for 8 years. Earlier in his career he taught at Willard High School, Nevada High School, and Lockwood High School. Years after retirement, he couldn't go out in public without always running into a former student who would say, "Hello Mr. Gulley, I played clarinet for you!" Chances were very good he could remember them by name and what chair they played in band or orchestra. His ability to remember musical scores, numbers, and names was legendary. When he retired from public schools, he became a real estate agent for Jones & Company and for a short time, Murney & Associates.

Bill loved flowers, plants, and sitting by his swimming pool. His favorite holiday was Christmas, and he always decorated every square inch of his home. It looked like a fairytale wonderland. Bill's life and legacy will be remembered by his love for family, thousands of students, colleagues, and so many life-long friends. He was a true soft-spoken gentleman, quick with a warm smile, ready for a good belly laugh, and always there to lend a hand.

In 1998, he met Jo Ann Buckner and until her passing on April 17, 2020, they became the absolute love of each other's lives. Jo Ann's family became his family including her daughter Robin and Dan Price and their 2 children, Brady Price and Hannah Castellano. Bill and Jo Ann were especially thrilled to welcome little Jo Lee Castellano. Together, he and Jo Ann were inseparable, traveling, enjoying Drury Lady Panthers, MSU Bears and Lady Bears ballgames, being regulars at the Springfield Symphony, and going to supper club and dances with all their dear friends. He never left Jo Ann's side. He cared and loved her thru it all – the many years of joys and the final sorrow of loss. They truly were the sweetest soulmates.

Finally, the family would like to express their appreciation and affection for the wonderful care and assistance Linda Osborn provided Bill, allowing him to remain in his home until the very end. Also, thanks to the medical staff at Cox South, who were so kind and compassionate.

Visitation will be held Monday, June 14, 2021, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  Graveside Service will follow at 3:00 PM in Eastlawn Cemetery.

To honor his love of music and teaching, a memorial scholarship is being established. Contributions in his name, Willard J. Gulley, Sr., may be sent to the Missouri State University Foundation, 300 South Jefferson, Springfield, Mo. 65806.