It is with deep regret that the Pikes Peak Chapter retires to Chapter Eternal our longtime friend William “Bill” Curtis who passed away May 14, 2021. Bill was born January 21, 1946 in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
Bill’s world travels started as an Air Force brat during the Korean War. He joined the Air Force himself and served during the Vietnam era.
Bill joined the Barbershop Harmony Society in Lafayette, Indiana when he was 32 years old and knew instantly that this was a hobby he could love. His first chapter was the Tippecanotes.
Bill was a first generation barbershopper although his daughter and son-in-law are also barbershop singers.
Bill sang for many years in his church choir and has functioned as a cantor during mass. At St. Patrick Catholic parish Bill was a member of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Council.
Bill sang with the Alexandria Harmonizers for approximately 17 years and earned an International Gold Medal when they won the championship in 1995. He also earned a number of other medals (3rd, 4th, & 5th place) during his time with the Harmonizers.
Bill sang in a quartet call “The Smart Alex” for several years and while in Hawaii he sang in a quartet called “The Soundwaves.”
Bill had a Bachelor’s Degree in computer science and economics and was only a couple of courses shy of his BFA in painting. Art became more than just a hobby and Bill was a member of the Pikes Peak Plein Air Painters.
Bill was a true barbershop quartet man at heart. He sang in many quartets. One of the most recent was the Colorado Chord Mining Company shown above with other current members of the America the Beautiful Chorus.
Bill was an instrumental part of the lead section of the America the Beautiful Chorus and was a member of the Pikes Peak Chapter Board of Directors at the time of his passing.
The America the Beautiful Chorus will miss Bill’s driving force. He was frequently forming quartet “pick up” groups to sing either before or after rehearsals. Always smiling and always upbeat, Bill was the personification of the true barbershopper.
