William E. Barnhill

William Edward Barnhill of Rock Hall, MD died on Monday, October 13, 2003 at Chester River Hospital Center in Chestertown, MD. He was 79. Born in Wilmington, DE on December 7, 1923, he was the son of the late William Osborn and Grace Pleasanton Barnhill. Mr. Barnhill attended public schools in the Wilmington area and at a young age began his musical career as a boy soprano with the Cathedral Church of St. John in Wilmington. He later graduated from the University of Delaware in 1953 and attended Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, MD in organ performance. Upon receiving his certification to teach both history and music, Mr. Barnhill taught in Cecil County where he began the first marching band. He then took a position with Merriam Avenue School in Newton, NJ directing the elementary instrumental music program. He served as organist/pianist and choirmaster at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Sparta, NJ. While with St. Mary’s, he and the choir were invited to perform a recital at Town Hall in New York City. Mr. Barnhill also held positions as organist/pianist and choirmaster at Church of the Good Shepherd in Milford, PA and after moving to Chestertown, MD, he served as organist/pianist and choirmaster at St. Stephens in Earleville and most recently at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Centreville, MD. He was a member of the American Guild of Organists under whose auspices he preformed several recitals in the Eastern Shore Region. He was a parishioner at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Chestertown, MD where he was also a lector. Mr. Barnhill’s specialty was training youth choirs and teaching Anglican speech rhythm. He enjoyed boating the Chesapeake and Gourmet cooking. Mr. Barnhill is survived by his wife, Diane Blanc Barnhill; a sister, Lola Barnhill Washington of Reston, VA; three sons, William Osborn Barnhill of Cincinnati, Ohio, James Caldwell Barnhill of Florida and Jeffrey Alexander Barnhill of York Haven, PA; one daughter, Barbara Maya of Cincinnati, Ohio and twelve grandchildren. One son, Christopher Atkinson Barnhill, a granddaughter Kimberly Barnhill, and a sister Elizabeth Barnhill Stradley predeceased him. Memorial services will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Chestertown, MD where a reception will follow in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Rock Hall Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 577, Rock Hall, MD 21661 or Habitat for Humanity International, 121 Habitat Street Americus, GA 31709-3498. Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., Chestertown, MD.