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BERNALILLO, N.M. -- Donald William "Bill" Byo, 91, passed away Monday, Oct. 2, 2023.
Bill was born June 22, 1932, in Youngstown, the son of the late Gustav Andrew and Dorothy May Johnston Byo.
One who thrived in music, Bill's music education began in the band program at Youngstown South High School and in Baptist church orchestras, and continued during a bachelor's degree at Youngstown College (Class of 1954) and in the U.S. Army bands (1954 to 1956). His passion for music and teaching would lead to band director positions in the Lordstown Schools and Niles High School, and a master's degree from Kent State University, where in 2000 he was named distinguished alumnus of the Glauser School of Music. In 1963, he was named interim director of bands and professor of bassoon at Youngstown College. (In 1967, it would become Youngstown State University.) Twenty-nine years at YSU included leadership as assistant dean, dean, and finally director of the Dana School of Music.
In retirement, he continued to teach part time at YSU, Westminster College and Grove City College. During all of these years, he combined substantial teaching and administrative responsibilities with substantial activity as a respected performing musician, who joined with talented and dedicated other musicians to cultivate the classical music culture of the Mahoning Valley and Western Pennsylvania.
Bill was a longtime member of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra, the W. D. Packard Band, the Greenville (Pa.) Symphony Orchestra and the Kenley Players Orchestra. He was a founding member of the Dana Woodwind Quintet. In 2004, he was the recipient of the Heritage Award for exceptional service to Youngstown State University. In 2021, he retired from the Packard Band as conductor emeritus and conductor laureate.
Bill is survived by his wife, June Catherine Wajda Byo, whom he married Dec. 27, 1954. He also leaves his children and their spouses, James (Jane) Byo, Susan (Howard) Passell and Kathy (Richard) Hentosh; grandchildren, Ben (Adrienne) Byo, Caitlin (Justin) Thuet, Alex (Mary) Byo and Julia Passell; and five great-grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Byo.
Calling hours will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at Blackstone Funeral Home (672 Churchill Road, Girard) with a funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at Church Hill United Methodist Church (189 Churchill Hubbard Road, Youngstown). Bill will be laid to rest in Tod Homestead Cemetery.
The family requests memorial gifts be made to the general scholarship fund of the Dana School of Music, Youngstown State University Foundation (ysufound
ation.org). Click "Give Now" and follow the prompts.
Visit www.blackstonefuneralhome.com to view this obituary and to send any expressions of sympathy to the family.
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