William J. Pharris

William Julian Pharris August 26, 1935 - October 11, 2010 COLUMBUS, GA— William Julian Pharris, 75, of Columbus, GA died Monday, October 11, 2010 at St. Francis Hospital. Funeral services will be held 3:00 P.M., Thursday, October 14, 2010 in the Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Macon Road Chapel, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA with Rev. Scott Hagan officiating and assisted by Mr. Tommy Mayton. Burial will follow in Parkhill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. The Seeker's Sunday School Class of Epworth United Methodist Church in Columbus will serve as honorary pallbearers. Mr. Pharris was born in Columbus, GA, on August 26, 1935, the only child of the late Ellen May Pharris and Julian A. Pharris. He was educated in the Muscogee County School System and graduated from Jordan Vocational High School. While at Jordan, Bill played clarinet in the band under the direction of Robert M. Barr, who was to become his mentor when he started his career as a School Band Director. Mr. Pharris got his B.S. Degree in Music Education from Florida State University and his Masters and 6 year Certificate at Columbus State University. He taught at Columbus Jr. High and was the first Band Director at Arnold Jr. High. After that he was in Real Estate and Home Building for eight years until he decided he must get back into Music Education. He started band and choral programs at Glenwood School in Phenix City, Alabama, where his sons attended. After 5 years, he moved on to East Rome High School, Riverdale Sr. High School and to Hardaway High School for six years. During that time the Hardaway Band was invited to perform at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. The band also was awarded the Sudler Flag of Honor from the John Phillip Sousa Foundation. In June of 1986, he took the Hardaway Band to the U.S.S.R. for concerts in Moscow and Leningrad. After that he taught at Albany High School and ended his career at Norcross High School from January 1990 to June 1998. The Norcross Band under his direction also won the Sudler Flag of Honor. At that time he was the only band director to receive the award at two different schools. Mr. Pharris was voted into the National High School Band Directors Hall of Fame. Bill was a medic in the Army Reserves. Bill was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church of Columbus. He has directed choirs at Epworth, Sherwood Methodist, First Baptist Church in Phenix City, and Second Avenue Methodist Church in Rome, GA. Bill also taught at Brevard Music Center, Brevard, NC for 11 summers, from 1977 through 1987 and directed the Bob Barr Community Band 1 year. Bill is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Helen Miller Pharris, 2 sons, Stephen M. Pharris and wife Lyn Rocker Pharris of Columbus, GA, David C. Pharris and wife Rachel Harrison of Minneapolis, MN and Granddaughter, Georgia Caroline Pharris of Minneapolis, MN, a sister-in-law, Sue (David) Sasser, a brother-in-law, James E. (Lynn) Miller, Mother-in-law, Gladys Arrighi Miller, and several dear aunts, uncles, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Epworth United Methodist Church of 2400 Devonshire Dr., Columbus, GA 31904, or to VistaCare Hospice 100 Brookstone Centre Pkwy., Columbus, GA 31904.