TBDBITL Alumni Club

The Best Damn Band In The Land - The Ohio State University Marching Band Alumni

William Root

September 20, 1921 - January 21, 2014

Dr. William Root, age 92, passed away on Tuesday, January 22, 2014. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Music, Masters and PhD in Education Administration, all from The Ohio State University. He played in the OSU Marching Band. He was a WW II Veteran where he played in Glenn Millers' Army Air Force Band. He was a member of TBDBITL Alumni Band. William was Music Director at Mt. Vernon High School, where he started the "Marching 100" patterned after the OSU Marching Band. He was also Director of Pupil Personnel at Mt. Vernon City Schools. He served as Assistant Superintendent of Akron City Schools, and Superintendent of Upper Sandusky and Warrensville Heights City Schools. He was retired as a Professor Emeritus in Education Administration at The University of Akron. He enjoyed music, camping and Ohio State Football.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, June, sons, Bill (Tina), Jim (Lynda) and David; grandchildren Michael (Lyndsay), Lisa (Brandon) Lowe, Brian (Rachel), David (Jessica), Amy and Erin and two great- grandchildren, Jackson and Nolan. Visitation will be from 10:00 - 11:30 am Saturday, January 25, 2014 by a Memorial Service at 11:30 am at Rutherford Funeral Home at Powell, 450 West Olentangy St. Powell, OH 43065. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Script Ohio Club, PO Box 14769, Columbus, OH 43214.

William was a member of the marching band from 1939 through 1943. He played baritone and trombone.