Bill Cecil
1930 - 2005
Bill Cecil was probably one of the most generous, outgoing, and incredibly honest Gentleman you may ever meet. He grew up a southern boy in Salem, VA. He chose to go to Virginia Polytechnic Institute because they had an ROTC program. Upon graduating in four years with a Chemical Engineering Degree he was drafted into the Army in the Chemical Corps. After serving his country, Bill came home to take a position with DuPont CO. He worked for them as a Design Engineer and Asst. Plant Manager for 30 years, “loyalty†counted with Bill! He continued in the Army Reserves till his rank of LT Colonel could not be transferred to a reserve unit in CA.
Upon retirement from DuPont in 1984, at the young age of 54, he was asked if he wanted to take over the BD Promotions. He was well known through his three children in four different BD Corps (remember at that time we had the cadets) and being an Asst. Manager with the Jr. Drum and Bell Corps. His love of the activity, his “can-do†attitude, and interest in the "kids"; he immediately became a factor to "recon" with by making BD Promo's items one of the most sought after on tour!
Traveling to Europe with the Corps was a dream come true for him! He helped to spearhead the sales of BD's music on 8 track, and then on to cassette tapes followed by CD's. Bill helped other promos with their sales, he felt competition was good. He always tried to have some smaller inexpensive items for sale so the young children could buy a BD "memento" to take home. He loved the look on their faces as they left the BD Promo Booth…
Bill was most disappointed when he had to give up promotions after many years due to health problems. He truly felt the love from all of you when he greeted each and everyone as you came up to the promo trailer. He tried to keep up by attending each year's DCI and helping out with promo so he could still see "you’ll". I would bet he never forgot your name or face when he saw you!
In closing I just want to say there was never anyone more of a "Drum Corps Nut" walking around smiling and greeting you as he enjoyed the activity each year.
Bill passed away November 17, 2005 doing something else he loved, cruising. God Bless you Bill! We miss you!
Bill Cecil was probably one of the most generous, outgoing, and incredibly honest Gentleman you may ever meet. He grew up a southern boy in Salem, VA. He chose to go to Virginia Polytechnic Institute because they had an ROTC program. Upon graduating in four years with a Chemical Engineering Degree he was drafted into the Army in the Chemical Corps. After serving his country, Bill came home to take a position with DuPont CO. He worked for them as a Design Engineer and Asst. Plant Manager for 30 years, “loyalty†counted with Bill! He continued in the Army Reserves till his rank of LT Colonel could not be transferred to a reserve unit in CA.
Upon retirement from DuPont in 1984, at the young age of 54, he was asked if he wanted to take over the BD Promotions. He was well known through his three children in four different BD Corps (remember at that time we had the cadets) and being an Asst. Manager with the Jr. Drum and Bell Corps. His love of the activity, his “can-do†attitude, and interest in the "kids"; he immediately became a factor to "recon" with by making BD Promo's items one of the most sought after on tour!
Traveling to Europe with the Corps was a dream come true for him! He helped to spearhead the sales of BD's music on 8 track, and then on to cassette tapes followed by CD's. Bill helped other promos with their sales, he felt competition was good. He always tried to have some smaller inexpensive items for sale so the young children could buy a BD "memento" to take home. He loved the look on their faces as they left the BD Promo Booth…
Bill was most disappointed when he had to give up promotions after many years due to health problems. He truly felt the love from all of you when he greeted each and everyone as you came up to the promo trailer. He tried to keep up by attending each year's DCI and helping out with promo so he could still see "you’ll". I would bet he never forgot your name or face when he saw you!
In closing I just want to say there was never anyone more of a "Drum Corps Nut" walking around smiling and greeting you as he enjoyed the activity each year.
Bill passed away November 17, 2005 doing something else he loved, cruising. God Bless you Bill! We miss you!
1996
- A Corps – General Support, Promo
1995
- A Corps – General Support, Promo
1994
- BD Performing Arts – Board of Directors, Board
1993
- A Corps – General Support, Promo
- BD Performing Arts – Board of Directors, Board
1992
- A Corps – General Support, Promo
1991
- A Corps – General Support, Promo
1990
- A Corps – General Support, Promo
1989
- A Corps – General Support, Promo
1988
- A Corps – General Support, Promo
1987
- A Corps – General Support, Promo
1986
- A Corps – General Support, Promo
1985
- A Corps – General Support, Promo