William R. “Ziggy” Coyle
March 16, 1928 - December 21, 1997
Ziggy Coyle, a founding member of TBDBITL Alumni Club, died in his sleep last Sunday. He was 69.
Ziggy is survived by his wife, Margie; sons Jeff and Bob; daughters Nancy and Karen, and grandchildren.
A 1948 graduate of The Ohio State University’s School of Music, Ziggy began his professional career teaching junior high and high school music in Columbus before entering graduate school at Columbia University. He returned to Columbus in 1951 and purchased Van’s Music Service. In 1952 he teamed with Warren Wesler to open Coyle & Wesler Sales, Rentals, Lessons Repairs at 22 E. Spring Street in downtown Columbus.
A life-long trumpet player, Ziggy took his nickname from Ziggy Elman, a trumpet player from the Tommy Dorsey Band. Ziggy’s commitment to education and his love of music made him a permanent fixture in the Columbus music scene for decades. From 1946 and into the early 1970s, he lead the Ziggy Coyle Orchestra which featured Ziggy’s wife, singer Margie.
Ziggy also “gave back” to the arts and business community through his participation and leadership in numerous organizations including the National Association of Music Merchants, The National Association of School Music Dealers, The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and the TBDBITL (The Best Damn Band In The Land) Alumni Club. Ziggy also founded the annual Stage Band Festival (later called the Jazz Band Festival) and sponsored the event for 36 years. Another notable contribution was Ziggy’s co-chairmanship of the campaign to recognize John Philip Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever as the official March of the United States.
His huge circle of friends remember Ziggy as a generous supporter of young musicians who always went out of his way to help them along.
Ziggy retired from Coyle Music in 1991..
Calling hours will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Jan. 3 at the Rutherford-Corbin Funeral Home, 517 High St., Worthington. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Jan. 4 in the First Community Church, 1320 Cambridge Blvd.
Ziggy was a member of the marching band in 1944 and 1945 and played trumpet. He was an active supporter of the band and alumni band until his death. He was named Elvin Donaldson Most Inspirational Alumni Bandmember in 1981 and was the 1987 recipient of the Script Ohio Award.
