GVSU remembers William Beidler

Former Grand Valley State University music professor William Bordine Beidler died on September 16, 2008, at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. He was 82.

Beidler joined joined the staff of the new Grand Valley State University in 1964. He served as choir director and voice teacher for 19 years. He was especially proud of the Grand Valley Singers and madigral group which he traveled with throughout Europe.

Beidler was born on June 22, 1926 in Frankfort and discovered a love of singing and dancing at an early age. During his high school years. He studied voice, opera and dance at Interlochen before serving in the U.S. Army at the end of WWII. He resumed his musical education at Central Michigan College, The American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and Michigan State University where he earned a master’s degree. He spent several years in New York City where he was a singer, dancer and actor doing off-Broadway shows, stock theatre, industrial shows and night club acts. He had many choral positions including director of choral groups at Rogers City High School; University of Southern Colorado; and choirmaster at First Presbyterian Church in Pueblo, Colorado. He served as choirmaster at St. Andrews Episcopal Church and was active in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and Circle Theatre.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 20, with a gathering at 9:30 a.m., at St. Mary's Church, 423 First St. NW, in Grand Rapids. Interment will be at a later date in the Crystal Lake Township Cemetery North in Frankfort. In lieu of flowers contributions would be appreciated to The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, 3000 Monroe NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503; or The VanAndel Institute for Parkinson's Research, 333 Bostwick Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Arrangements are by: Memorial Alternatives 2432 Fuller NE, 363-3700 www.memorialalternatives.com