William Edma Giddings

<iframe id="tukios_player_512x330" allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="330" scrolling="no" src="https://www.tributeslides.com/videos/embedded_video/D9SXTZC6RGCFTYTF" width="512"></iframe>William E Giddings October 6th 1933 – July 4th 2017 Visalia        William was born on October 6, 1933 in Westwood,  California.  As a young  child, William moved to Petaluma, California where the family stayed until moving to Bakersfield.  He attended William Penn Elementary, Emerson Jr. High, and graduated from Bakersfield High School where he was a member of the all boy’s Driller band and orchestra.  In High School, he had a band called Bill Giddings and his Melody Boys.  The Melody Boys played for all the High School Dances and other teenage dances in Bakersfield.  William’s  specialty was  woodwinds.  During High School he was employed by Gutchers Music,  where he learned the business of instrument repair.  William received his AA from Bakersfield Jr. College.      In 1954, William was inducted into the Army.  Basic training took place at Fort Ord and was preparing him as a sniper to go to the Korean Conflict.  However, he was  reassigned to the ninth division band in Moehringen,  Germany.      After serving his time in Germany, he received the national defense Service Medal and Army  Occupation medal.  William was discharged in Germany and then attended the Conservatory of Music in Zurich, Switzerland.  Returning to the U.S., William attended Fresno State College and received his BA in Music Education.  After graduation, he started his first music job working for all the rural schools in Tulare County.  He was offered the job at Tulare Western High School teaching music.  He moved to Strathmore High School where he finished his career of 40 years.      In his career he taught choir at the First Christian Church in Visalia, and the First Congregational Church in Tulare.  William was also involved in Cub Scouts as a Scout Master.       William also played in other groups:  Fresno State Symphony Orchestra, Rainbow Ball Room, Latin Music with Manual Conteras and Beto Garcia, Blue Room 509, Buck Owens, Jack Beltran, Clarence Karr, and Charlie and Friends.      William was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Pearl Giddings, Sister Ruby Mabry.  He is survived by his wife, Janice of 50 years, his children:  Barbara (Wayne), David (Linda), Patricia, (Stephan), Donna, Richard (Jennifer), and Robert.  Bill has 12 grand children, and 12 great grand children, which he loved very much.      Services will be held at the Visalia Cemetery Pavilion on July 14th 2017 at 11:00 A.M.  Lunch will follow at the First Christian Church 1023 North Chinowth  Street..