William "Billy" M. Weston

Newport, RI - William M. Weston, 70, of 185 Third Street Newport, RI, died Thursday, December 18, 2003 at Miriam Hospital Providence, RI.He was the husband of Irene T. Pitchford Weston. Born in Cranston, RI on March 24, 1933, he was the son of the late Virginia Weston Johnson. Mr. Weston was a 1951 graduate of Rogers High School, and in 1957 received his degree in Music Education from Boston University. From 1953-1955, he served in the US Army where he was named Outstanding Soldier, Basic Training, and Student of the Cycle Band Training. He was a member of the 21st Army Band unit and was the 1st Army 1/4 mile Champion in 1953. Mr. Weston was the elementary school Music Supervisor in the Newport School System for 33 years, and the Founder of the Coggeshall School Continental Fife Drum Corps. He was a two-term member of the negotiating team of the Newport Teachers Association. In 1965, he was named the Newport Junior Chamber of Commerce ?Young Man of the Year?. Mr. Weston was a member of the Community Baptist Church, and its Senior Choir and the John H. Triplett Mens Chorus. He had previously served as a Trustee and Youth Choir Director. Known to all who loved him as ?Billy?, he performed as a vocalist and trumpet player with the Mac Chrupcala Orchestra and many other local musicians. He was a member of Local 529 Musicians Union, of which he was a former Executive Board Member and former Chair and Founder of its annual fundraiser. He was a former Trustee of the Newport Art Museum, and he was a two-term member of the selection committee music for the RI State Council on the Arts. In 1992, he was honored by the Council at a State House General Session, along with one resident from every other town or city in the State, for his accomplishments and contributions to the arts. He chaired or contributed to countless fundraisers. He was the recipient of numerous awards and citations, including honors from the Rhode Island Senate, the Rhod Island House of Representatives, the Newport School Committee, the City of Newport, the national office and local chapter of thre NAACP, the National Education Association, the Martin Luther King Center, the Newport Art Museum, the Rhode Island Friends of Museums of the National Center of Afro-American Artists. Mr. Weston was a member of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of Rhode Island, P.H.A., of which he was a Past Grand Master. He was a Past Master of Stone Mill Lodge #3, Past Patron of Queen Esther Chapter #2, and a member of Mt. Sinai Consistory#12, 33rd Degree, Honorary Past Potentate of Constantine Temple #14, and a member of Cyrus Chapter, R.A.M. Besides his wife of 47 years, he leaves a daughter Donna Lee of Silver Spring, MD, a son Dr. William M. Weston Jr., daughter-in-law, Veronica Nix Weston and grandson William M. Weston III of St. Louis, MO, seven sisters Rosalie Weston and Virginia Lombard both of Middletown, RI, Phyllis Bradley of Portsmouth, RI, Pamela Massey of Cranston, RI, Cheryl Torrey and Dawn Daniels both of Chesapeake, VA, and Charlene Willingham of Norfolk, VA, nine brothers Robert Johnson of Newport, RI, Gary Johnson of Middletown, RI, Clifford Johnson and Gordon Johnson both of Portsmouth, RI, Wayne Johnson of Warwick, RI, Kevin Johnson of New Bedford, MA, William Johnson of North Dartmouth, MA, David Johnson of Norfolk, VA, and Harold Weston of Fairmont, WV. He also leaves aunts Beatrice Link of Lake Wales, FL and Charlotte Weston of Middletown, RI, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.His funeral will be held on Monday, December 22, 2003, at 11:00 AM in the Community Baptist Church, 50 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Boulevard, Newport. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown. Donations in his memory may be made to the Community Baptist Church, Building Fund, 50 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Boulevard, Newport, RI 02840. Arrangements are by the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.