William J. Allen aka Mr. Allen to many of us was born March 6, 1927 in New York City and died March 1, 2011.
He is survived by his loving wife Amelia; daughter, Debbie (Jesse) Braverman of Albany, NY; two sons, Gary of Guam and Michael (Marybel) of Tampa, FL; stepson, Bob (Amanda) Moseley of Staten Island, NY; two stepdaughters, Lisa (Pat) Sheire of Stafford, VA and Robyn (Tracy) Moseley of Dumfries, VA; and 5 grandchildren, Joshua and Michelle Allen, Brittney Moseley, Robert and Delaney Sheire. However, we would be remiss if we were to think of this man’s family as being only those mentioned above as he was a man of passion, and has had thousands of children that he would call his kids. Bill Allen was a legend in the community, and produced the finest of bands in his 35 years at Dunedin Highland Middle School.
When Bill came to Dunedin, FL it was a dirt road leading to pretty much nowhere, but he knew Dunedin would be his home. He decided this was it and he bought a nice little house in Dunedin, grabbed his baton and said, “I expect my kids to do the impossible.” How many times did we hear him say “This is a grade five piece of music and you are not supposed to be able to play this, but you will.” He hit that baton and always broke them, but that was all right. There were many more in the office and he would ask his lead flute player to get another.
He knew the Spring Concert was around the corner; the band practiced, and with each new student came that miracle. The band played, the arrangements were written, and made better throughout the year. The bagpipes were incorporated into the arrangements and Bill spent his night at the piano writing with all his love for his kids. There were the football games that had to be produced and practiced. There were the parades and tag day to raise money so that the band could get the right instruments, and of course the after school lessons for all of his kids.
Finally when the Band played the spring concert they entered the auditorium with Scotland the Brave; the band encircled the crowd, and Bill was proud of his kids… the miracle was accomplished. His kids were professional in their performance and after three years with his senior students it was time to say goodbye. Many cried and the heart of the teacher and the student were broken. He always remembered his kids and with all his heart he loved you. He was tough on all of you but he knew that you would be great.
Now is his final farewell, but let us all remember the legend we all knew and loved so much…Mr. Bill Allen our Director. We love you now and for all of our lives, your legend will live in our community, and the impact you have left on this earth will always be cherished. May God now play for you, and you will most likely become their Director.
A gathering of friends and family will be held from 6-8 PM on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at Dunedin Assembly of God, 885 Lake Haven Road, Dunedin, FL 34698. Wake Rite will begin at 6:30 PM. A Mass for the Repose of His Soul will be celebrated with Father Tom Madden at 11 AM on Wednesday, March 9th at St. Cecelia Catholic Church, 820 Jasmine Way, Clearwater, FL 33756. A covered dish reception will be held from 2-4pm at the Dunedin Community Center, 1141 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. Please bring your favorite recipe/dish to share with everyone.
Interment will be from Bay Pines National Cemetery on March 10, 2011 at 1:30pm with military honors. All are invited to attend.
Please sign the registry below.
I’ll miss you brother.
I’ll miss you.
Mr. Allen was a fantastic teacher and a fabulous mentor to me and many others. He was the first person to believe in me as a leader and teacher, and I gratefully use those skills each and every day. I will always remember him fondly and with a smile…his caring nature and neverending sense of humor have become part of who I am now. I will always be thankful for the years I spent in his band. Many blessings to the loved ones he leaves behind. Mr. Allen was truly a great man.
Mr Allen will always have a special place in my heart. He actually saved my life by giving my mother the support she needed to keep me in the Seed. He was a very proud man and a wonderful teacher. I know you are conducting God’s band now! My prayers go out to the family.
You will be missed, Mr. Allen
I came under Mr. Allen’s baton in 1976. My father had died recently and he became another father figure to me, tough but loving. Like many students, at first I hated him because he was hard on us but I very quickly came to love and respect him. I entered Dunedin Middle as a clarinet player; I left as a musician. It took me a long time to realize it, but his passion and his great heart helped pull me through a rough time in my life and put me on the road to being the person I am today. Thank you, Mr. Allen, for being a friend and mentor. I will never forget you and always be grateful that you were a part of my life. I love you!
Musical hats off to our beloved band Director.He brought us from a ragtag bunch in all white shirts and pants to the full Scottish Highland marching band in full regalia.His patience and firm leadership and many hours spent with the difficult age group of 12-16 year old teenagers is unmatched.A major part of our pre-adult formative years gave us all a good start on the value and rewards of hard work and practice, practice ,practice.What a mentor!
Strike up the Band!
One of his many clarinet players, Anne Boyd Frazier
When I saw his picture in the article above, I immediately was taken back in time to seventh grade chorus, not band, when he was my chorus teacher. I still remember some of the songs he taught us to sing, and yes, he was a tough task master, but one that we as his students came to love and respect. I am grateful to have received this information on his death and to remember his life with great affection.
It was sitting in your band room that I discovered what I wanted to do with my life. I have been a band director for the last seventeen years because of your inspiration. Every day I wallk into my classroom, I walk in your shadow hoping to inspire my kids the way you inspired me. Thank you for sharing your passion and changing my life. You will be greatly missed.
I don’t even no where to begin. I know one thing it shall never end. His influence on my life began in 1955 when I had him for Geography and Chorus, then band in the last half of the 9th grade. I was there when the first bagpipe walked down the isle at Dunedin Jr. High. I thought who would want to play that thing? That was a mistake to think such a thing, because look what happened to Dunedin because of Mr. Allen accepting the challenge to set the stage for bagpipes and band. We are one of 3 in the Country for a middle school band with pipes. I never had a thought that I would someday follow in his footsteps to direct the band for 18 years. I now volunteer there with Mr.Dave Mason, who was also his student. There have only been 3 of us since 1954. That in itself is amazing. I remember when I was 17 and he gave me a student to teach saxophone lessons to. I said I don’t know how to teach. He said you will figure it out. Like so many of you have said, he was a second father to me. I have always loved and respected him. I had the privilege of spending a lot of time with him and his beautiful wife, Mllie, before God took him home. I can tell you he died a peaceful man. He had come home to Dunedin for the last 6 weeks of his life and he enjoyed every minute of it. He died where he lived and that was his goal. I love you Bill, and thank you so much for believing in me and sharing your beautiful knowledge of music with me and so many others. May God bless your family and I’ll see you someday in Heaven. God bless your family. Love, Mrs. Blair
Mr. Allen, O, my, where to start. My memories of jr. high and his Geography class and Beverly and me going all over the west coast of Florida doing the highland fling with Ann and Pat on the bagpipes with Mr. Allen in his Volkswagon. He was a great part of my growing up. Thanks for the great memories, Mr. Allen.
All my thoughts and prayers go out to Millie and family. Words fail me. He was a great teacher and friend. As one of his students, he gave me the encouragement to work hard and a lifetime love of music.
Mr. Allen, You taught more than music at the Dunedin Highland Jr. High School. You taught life lessons. We still have them to live by and we are grateful.
Mr. Allen’s Opus is all I can think of, since I saw the news about his passing. The movie Mr. Holland’s Opus fits Mr. Allen perfectly, because he affected all of our lives! His love of music was infectious and I am immensely richer for his teaching. My prayers and sympathies for the family, but I hope they take some comfort in knowing how far and wide his influence extended.
I was so sorry to hear about Mr. Allen. He was my band director in Middle School in the years 1969 thru 1972. He was always someone we respected. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. God be with you all.
He was one of the very best. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
I often remember my clarinet lessons with Mr. Allen. They were pretty awful. I had absolutely no talent. He was nice about it, but I was pretty hopeless. I played third clarinet badly, but Mr. Allen found the perfect place for me. He moved me up to second clarinet to sit between two girls who wouldn’t stop talking to one another. Finally I was useful. Keeping in step and playing the clarinet at the same was greater than impossible for me. But I did learn a very important lesson in geography class which I still share today. He gave us homework on Friday which was due on Monday. Monday morning he would call us up individually to collect our work. Some had the most wonderful excuses for not having completed their assignments. He listened patiently, gave them a zero, and exclaimed, “I am not interested in excuses. I am interested in results.” I have carried that advise with me ever since – and often shared the story with those in my charge. Thanks, Mr. Allen, for teaching me such an important lesson. Thank goodness I learned something because I certainly don’t remember anything about geography and a musician I am not.
Even though I was not one of your students , I know many of them , they are better people for knowing you. May you rest in peace! And make heavenly music with the ones who are with you.
I moved down to Dunedin in the 6th grade and the front desk of DMS, on a whim I think, stuck me in the flutophone class. I mentioned to him in the first week that I had 1 or 2 trombone lessons at my previous school and a day or two later I was in the beginner band and that was that. I feel very fortunate to have been one of his students. His exacting standards and the compassion and strength with how he led us was a rare gift. One that I haven’t seen matched in my almost 19 years of military service. There are only a very few things I think of fondly about my growing up, Mr. Allen was one of them. Thank you sir.
I remember my life with Mr. Allen, at DJH, as the First Drum Majorette. I thought that Mr Allen was a very nice man, & I enjoyed being part of the DJH band, with many of my friends. We had good times. I remember having our band practices, in the cafeteria,marching outside behind the school. Oh! My memories just take me back to one of the happiest times of my life, with the exception of my feet hurting in my boots. I always thought that Mr Allen was one of the nicest instructors that there was; & I thought he was really dedicated to making our little band, be known.I remember, the band colors were black & white. I wore my black majorette outfit, proudly, with the black beenie on my head. As drum majorette, I remember Mr Allen marching on the right side of the band, a small man, with dark hair, looked so proud of our new little band…If I remember, he was a soft spoken man,& everyone respected him. I was very proud to march with the man who made us proud. Those were the good old days, & I wouldn’t have changed anything about DJS, our principal, teachers & friends.
As our life is dwindling down, the memories will never leave. Mr. Allen will be missed by all who knew him. He will never be forgotten, & may God bless, Mr Allen’s family,& give them peace & comfort, knowing that Mr Allen is where we all hope to be, WE WILL ALL MEET AGAIN.
I remember my life with Mr. Allen, at DJH, as the First Drum Majorette. I thought that Mr Allen was a very nice man, & I enjoyed being part of the DJH band, with many of my friends. We had good times. I remember having our band practices, in the cafeteria,marching outside behind the school. Oh! My memories just take me back to one of the happiest times of my life, with the exception of my feet hurting in my boots. I always thought that Mr Allen was one of the nicest instructors that there was; & I thought he was really dedicated to making our little band, be known.I remember, the band colors were black & white. I wore my black majorette outfit, proudly, with the black beenie on my head. As drum majorette, I remember Mr Allen marching on the right side of the band, a small man, with dark hair, looked so proud of our new little band…If I remember, he was a soft spoken man,& everyone respected him. I was very proud to march with the man who made us proud. Those were the good old days, & I wouldn’t have changed anything about DJS, our principal, teachers & friends.
As our life is dwindling down, the memories will never leave. Mr. Allen will be missed by all who knew him. He will never be forgotten, & may God bless, Mr Allen’s family,& give them peace & comfort, knowing that Mr Allen is where we all hope to be, WE WILL ALL MEET AGAIN.
GaryMike -Sorry to hear of your loss.
I have very fond memories of my time at DHJHS (Junior High then), and in particular, with Mr. Allen and the band. He was the finest band director any young person could have in developing young musicians. I will always remember all of the rehearsals, the parades, playing for the occasional DHS football and the band pool parties at the end of the year! He cared about each and every student, and was a perfectionist in having you strive for good musicianship! I especially recall the day in 9th grade, he told all of the 9th grade trombonists, when they went to HS the next year we were going to be playing in the HS Highlander Band with the Juniors and Seniors, because he thought were one of the best trombone sections he had ever had, and he talked about us to Mr. Gerald Clifford the HS Band Director! Because Mr. Allen’s teaching, I auditioned and was selected after high school to play in a U. S. Army Band! Mr. Allen may God Bless you and lift you up to your new heavenly home! Grateful always, Rick
First, a facebook account has been set up by a family member where links, photos and comments can be posted and comments shared. (Search “William Allen”)
I was blessed as well to be in a Mr. Allen band program. This band program was not a typical Junior High School Band. Symphonic Band, Jazz Band and Bagpipe and Drum band taught with the highest of expectations from tough but loving leaders, I was there when Mr. Laughter, taught both the pipe band and jazz band. Mr. Allen taught us about music and more importantly about respect. Respect for our instruments, respect for the music, ultimate respect for any guest he brought to his band room and most importantly, respect for ourselves and each other. He taught us the value of teamwork which until that time I thought was only part of “Sports” programs. Looking back, I think about the teamwork it took within band sections. (separate rehearsals to get our parts ready) as well as within the entire ensemble. Listening to the entire band while we played so our parts became a piece of the whole. This life lesson is as important today as it was when I was in his band from 1973-1975. I often thing about the parallels in my current professional life.
Did we always get what was going on? I certainly did not. Through an 11-13 year old mind at times he appeared mean, often angry and seemed to pick on individuals. This came into perspective to me the next school day after our performances. I came to understand when I saw the biggest, widest SMILE on his face, followed by his words of “You made me proud to be your leader, your hard work paid off with a beautiful performance, you should be proud of yourself”. This praise lasted about a day, then we on to the next challenge, new music to read, harder pushes from our band leader. I don’t know about anyone else, but for me, that experience has translated well into current life and business experiences. Thank you Mr. Allen for the preparation. You were more than a band leader. To me you were a life molder and wonderful leader. If anyone has read Mitch Albom’s novel, “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” Mr. Allen is one of those I hope to see again someday to thank him in person. For now, THANK YOU, SIR.
What a beautiful tribute this is to a wonderful man. The words on this page I could not even come close to summing up what Bill Allen was about. I too lost a father, while in 7th grade, and I still remember the day he called me into his office. I was so nervous, wondering what in the heck I had done that was this bad. It was not that, rather it was that he knew my father had passed, and that this was my first day back at school. He asked me how was I doing, and was quick to let me know that his office and he would always be “right here” if I ever needed to talk to someone. He then gave me a hug and sent me on my way to wipe fresh tears from my face. Just one moment in time, taken to go out of his way to look after one of his “flock”… and I was no different than anyone else in that bandroom. He would have done the same to any one of those kids.
May God receive the many, many crowns that Mr. Bill Allen earned.
wow…what can i say about one of the greatest men ive ever known? mr allen was far more than just my band director or a teacher. i joined his bands in 7th grade, as a trumpet player, having not played for a year after starting to learn in another state. halfway through the year, he switched me to french horn. i have loved it ever since. having never owned one of my own, i havent played in many years. but i did have a chance to do so ten years after the last time i had done so in college – and with a little practice, i still did pretty well.
i remember batons flying, restarting and replaying passages over and over again, band camp in the summer, marching and concerts and everything in between. i will always be one of his kids…and he will always be the leader of the band. my sympathies to his family, and to all his living legacies…though he is missed, he is remembered and honored by us all.
thank you, mr allen, more than words can say…
I was so sorry I received this information after Mr. Allen’s passing and was unable to attend his goodbye. Both my children learned their love of music from Bill, and for my family he will be sorely missed but kept close in our hearts forever.
Mrs. Blair said it all. Bill Allen died where he lived. All of us that shared part of that lived experience are better off for it.
I only recently learned of Bill Allen’s passing. He didn’t just teach me how to play the trumpet but how to perform when playing the trumpet. “Blow from your gut, diaphragm, not your cheeks!”
Pete Marston, Ken Boucher and myself, all learned from Mr. Allen. As a cadet,attending two military schools, more than once I heard the director shout, “Bill, take it down I can’t hear the rest of the band!”
As a senior I played Bugler’s Holiday at a military commencement. If not for Mr. Allen’s teaching me how to triple tongue it would not have been possible to play that piece.
Great, wonderful person.
I too share the deep respect and affection for Bill that others have expressed here. My experiences in the band from 1962 to 1965 represented some of the most memorable times of my young life. Bill’s demanding but caring personality was a constant, positive influence for generations of students at DJHS. I’m sure the lessons of excellence he instilled in all of us will continue to influence generations to come. (Those of us of a certain age remember where we were when we heard of JFK’s death. I will never forget the deeply saddened, ashen-faced band director who led us off the practice field on that November day.)
In my many years of working as a teacher, vice principal and principal I have met thousands of parents, staff members, community members, and students. So were casual acquaintances, some were co-workers, some were my friends. Some memories have faded over the years and some made such a positive impression that I remember them as if it were yesterday. Bill Allen was one of those who was bigger than life and a person you never forget. Very few educators make such a positive impact on their students like Bill Allen. I can still see him as if it were yesterday as he conducted the Dunedin Highland Middle School Band. I can not here any band play without my first thought being of Bill Allen. He cared deeply about his music, he cared deeply about his craft and he cared deeply about his students. Bill Allen touched the lives of so many and we all are better off because of his years of dedicated commitment to music and his students. Not many can say they dedicated themselves to their work like Bill Allen. Gone yes, but his work and memories will live on for years to come.
I hold the utmost respect for educators of teenage students, whom, despite our hormones, angst, and short attention spans, still manage to leave a lasting impact on young lives.
Mr. Allen not only taught music, but life lessons as well.
Fare thee well, kind sir.
Just found this tribute. I was very fortunate to have interned with Bill Allen while I was finishing school at the Uni. Of South Fla as a music major. I moved from Jacksonville to Tampa to be close to the piping and had met Mr. Forsythe at a previous games. He wanted to retire from teaching the City Pipe Band and I was very interested in filling the position. I had no idea that I would end up working side by side with Mr. Allen and his wife Alice. We all became very close friends. I will always be grateful that I interned with Mr. Allen. He taught me so much. After I finished college I continued to teach at the middle school and area elementary schools. The City Band did wonderful things for the town. So many talented students and Mr. Allen was always encouraging them to do their best and work hard. I had no idea he had passed until last year when I spoke to Alice. Just wish I had seen him before his passed. But our good times still live in my mind along with all those wonderful students and supportive parents. My wife, Lee and I were very fortunate to have lived near Dunedin in those years and to have known Bill and Alice and all of the wonderful students and young adults and families. Thanks Mr. Bill Allen for all you did!!
Such a beautiful legacy to be remembered and loved by so many.
Simply reading the warm sincere heartfelt words will give you pause.I would have welcomed knowing him in my lifetime.
Perhaps the hearts of my children would be kinder today had they known him many years ago.
I shall remember you tho,MrAllen
Until we meet one day in the light of love, forgiveness and understanding. Someone in time Toujours Sempre Amore