William "Billy" Locke Summerville

William Locke Summerville (December 16, 1933 – October 30, 2024)

Retired music Professor Bill Summerville passed away peacefully at the Arbor Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center in Opelika, Ala- bama on October 30, 2024 at the age of 90.

Bill (“Billy”) was born December 16, 1933 in Aliceville, Alabama, to parents Homer and Emer- lon (Colvin) Summerville and the younger brother of Jim (“Jimmy”) Summerville. From an early age, Bill demonstrated prodigious musical talents, particularly with the piano. Recognizing his ex- ceptional gift, Bill’s parents purchased for him a used baby grand Steinway piano (a sizeable invest- ment during the Great Depression) which Bill kept throughout his education and career (over 60 years). Upon retiring from his last faculty position at Auburn University, Bill donated the piano to the United Methodist Church in Auburn where it is prominently located today in the Founder’s Chapel.

Prior to junior high school, Bill began his first piano lessons in Aliceville with Miss Winnie Moody who continued to instruct Bill through his

high school graduation. Bill never hesitated to rec- ognize Miss Moody as his greatest musical influ- ence and supporter. In the 1952 Aliceville High School yearbook, Bill’s many noted accolades in- cluded “Most-talented person in Senior Class or high school, entered and won the State piano scholarship contest, and we have high hopes will go further with all of his ability!”

Bill began college at The University of Alabama on June 09, 1952, graduating as a Capstone student with a Bachelor of Music on August 19th, 1955, majoring in Piano with a minor in Organ. He earned his Masters Degree from Indiana Univer- sity-Bloomington in 1957, and his Doctor of Mu- sical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan in 1970. During this time, Bill reportedly won a musical competition in New York City where the judges included Dr. Donald Shirley whose life was portrayed in the 2018 film Green Book. In addition to the timeless influence from Miss Moody, Bill cited composers Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and particularly Chopin as his greatest inspirations. He performed at scores of recitals individually or with colleagues and taught piano at several colleges and universities, including Auburn University from 1980 through his retirement in 1996, all while caring for his mother at his home in Auburn. Bill continued to delight his friends and fellow residents for many years at Azalea Place Retirement Community in Auburn and Arbor Springs in Opelika during meals and special events. He will be forever loved and remembered as a good son, brother, uncle, mentor, colleague, and friend. Bill now rests be- side his father and mother at the Oak Grove Fran- conia Cemetery in Aliceville Alabama.