Bill Earl, Lewes Men’s Chorus founder
Bill Earl, 96, a retired music teacher of Gaithersburg and Rockville high schools in Montgomery County, Md., (retired 1977) and long-time resident of Sussex County, passed away Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, at his home in Rehoboth Beach. He was born in New Castle, Pa., July 20, 1921, son of the late Ray R. Earl and Margaret Riney Earl.
Mr. Earl was a graduate of Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., and Columbia University in New York City. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a chaplain's assistant.
Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Earl was a leader of dance bands and combos. He entertained on oceanliners for four summers, and appeared before many service organizations, nursing homes and senior centers. He founded and directed The Lewes Men's Community Chorus for many years. He was also an organist for numerous churches in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Earl is preceded in death by his brother, Robert Earl. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Haide Earl; his daughters: Heide Smith (Jim) of Union Bridge, Md., and Lori Bryan (Barry) of Gaithersburg, and their families; his three grandchildren: Jennifer Morrison (Ricky), Heather Garst and Daniel Bryan; his five great-grandchildren: Sophia, Emma, Isabelle, Richard and Connor; his sister, Elizabeth Catterson of New Wilmington, Pa.; and numerous nieces and nephews in the U.S. and Germany.
The family would like to give special thanks to his caregivers Donna, Lavinia and Lynn for taking such great care of him.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 11 a.m., at Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 W. 4th St., Lewes, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will immediately follow services at Bethel United Methodist Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963, or to the Sunday Breakfast Mission, 110 N Poplar St., Wilmington, DE 19801.
Please visit Mr. Earl's Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
