Obituaries

William Eugene Trantham

Photo of William Eugene Trantham
William Eugene Trantham, age 88, of Little Rock, passed away on Sunday, March 11, 2018. He was born on August 6, 1929 in Elkland, Missouri the son of Harvey Wilson Trantham and Lola Jane Minor Trantham. On June 7, 1959, he was married to Patsy Ann Starr Trantham who preceded him in death. William proudly served his country in the armed forces and was a Korean War Veteran. He received his PhD from Northwestern University in June of 1966. Dr. T, as his students called him, began his career at Ouachita Baptist University in 1960 and retired in May 1994. At that time, he was named Professor Emeritus of Music by OBU. He also taught at Southwest Baptist University of Bolivar, Missouri. He served as a Professor of Music, was the first Dean of the School of Music at OBU when it was established in 1968 and served as Chairman of the Applied Music Department within the OBU School of Music. Dr. Trantham was involved with, and a member of many organizations, including: Mu Omicron chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Honorary Music Fraternity, College Music Society, Music Teachers National Association, Federated Music Clubs, American Musicological Society, and the American Guild of Organists and Epsilon Delta Chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda. In 2016, Dr. Trantham was honored as a Distinguished Member Friend of the Arts by Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity Hot Springs Alumnae Chapter. Dr. Trantham served as Organist and as Organist/Choir Director for many churches throughout his career. He served as Organist/Choir Director for Westminster Presbyterian Church in Hot Springs for over 23 years before retiring from that position. Dr. T was loved and respected by so many people. His love of music and teaching affected many. Even in his last years, he was able to play hymns, which people hummed and sang to with smiles on their faces. Dr. Trantham is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Rachel King and husband Charles; granddaughter, Lindsay Harris and husband David; great-grandson, Jacob Hooper, granddaughter, Nicole Jackson, son, Gene Trantham and wife Nancy, grandsons, Daniel and Evan Trantham, and beloved niece, Beverly Jones. The family wishes to thank the many who visited Dr. T and who sent cards and letters. A special thanks is extended to Baptist Hospice for their team's loving care. Words cannot thank the staff of Parkway Village Health Center for the love and care that they provided to Dr. T in the last year of his life. In lieu of flowers and other customary condolences, memorials can be made to the OBU Music Department, 410 Ouachita Street, Box 3754, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71998. Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 16, 2018. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 17, 2018, both at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Hot Springs. Burial will follow services at Crestview Memorial Park. Reverend Chip Hatcher and Reverend Tom Ulrich will be officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs. To express condolences and sign the online guestbook, visit www.davissmith.com.

Published March 14, 2018

Upcoming Events