UW’s Bissell kept fans in their seats at halftime

By Pamela Brice

For the Herald

If he’d been born in an earlier time, Bill Bissell probably would have been a vaudeville entertainer, say friends and family of the former University of Washington marching band director who died last month at age 70.

Instead, Bissell made his theatrical mark with the UW marching band.

A musical tribute is planned at 3 p.m. today at Hec Edmundson Pavilion at the UW campus in Seattle for the Bothell resident.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Church of the Redeemer-Episcopal in Kenmore.

"Bill was really known throughout the profession as a great entertainer and showman when it comes to college marching bands," said Brad McDavid, current director of UW athletic bands.

Bissell came to the UW in 1973, and the performances he designed were always innovative and had a touch of humor, said Bruce Caldwell, who served as assistant director with Bissell.

Bissell also worked with former yell leader Robb Weller to originate the audience-rousing "wave" that still circles stadiums today.

One year the band got new uniforms and the season opener was at Oregon. Caldwell recalled that Bissell didn’t want the students to wear the new uniforms for the first time at an away game.

"So Bill had the band play ‘The Stripper’ and had the kids take off the uniforms," Caldwell said.

Bissell was also known for making "Tequila" into the now-famous sports anthem when the band played the classic 1950s tune during its 1978 Rose Bowl performance, getting more than 40,000 Husky fans to yell the word.

"What Bill tried to do first and foremost was to entertain the folks and make sure they didn’t get a Coke and hotdog but stayed glued to their seats," McDavid said.

In 1981, budget cuts threatened the Husky band, and under Bissell’s leadership the band moved from the music department to the department of athletics.

Kris Van Gasken, president of the Husky Band Alumni Association, said thanks to that move, the band got a lot of perks, enabling them to fly to bowl games and take other trips.

Patti Wright of Lynnwood, who marched in the Husky band from 1989 to 1994, said Bissell lived the band motto.

"He bled purple and gold and truly was ‘a touch of class’ in his love for the organization," she said.

Along with Shirlee, his wife of 48 years, Bissell is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Bruce and Diann Bissell; daughter and son-in-law Sherry and Tony Piro; and two grandchildren.

Remembrances may be made to the Bill Bissell Scholarship Fund, payable to the Husky Marching Band Alumni Association, P.O. Box 75046, Northgate Station, Seattle, WA 98125.

Pamela Brice is a staff writer for the Enterprise weekly newspapers. You can call her at 425-673-6522 or send e-mail to brice@heraldnet.com

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