In Loving Memory of the Late Great Larry DC Willaims

Larry graduated from James Madison High School in 1966 and received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Texas A & M University (ETSU). Larry Taught music at Camp Gary Job Corps in San Marcos, Texas band at both Hildalgo High School in the Valley and Kealing Junior High in Austin, Texas. An independent entrepreneur, Larry bought and sold used instruments and was a full time musician.

Larry was a devoted family man and his primary mission in life was to care for the love of his life, his wife Mary, whose health has been bad for some time. Larry devoted his life to caring for her regardless of the consequences.

Larry was a Master musician with an innate ability to master any instrument he set out to play. His "ax" however was the Tenor Saxophone. A master saxophone player, Larry played behind many great players. Some of his fondest playing memories are starting out in East Dallas when he was young and the many gigs he played with Motown Legend Martin Banks an old school jazz legend from the Ray Charles Orchestra. Martin and Larry played together with countless groups including the East Side Band. Larry once opened for Sinbad the comedian and had gigs with Jazz Organ player Jimmy Smith. He battled at the jam sessions every week growing up as a kid in south Dallas.

Larry was honored by the Texas Folk Life Resources as a Master Musician and by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, with February 26, 1998 declared Larry DC Williams and Martin Banks Day in Austin.

I met Larry Douglas Carver Williams in 1998 in Port Aransas Texas down near the Gulf of Mexico via a mutual friend of ours Tim McDaniel. He was playing a gig at a small jazz club near the docks. My Fiancée and I walked in and sat in the front row and witnessed the performance of a life time. I was amazed at this unbelievable tenor sax man and the talent which he displayed.

From that point on Larry has had a tremendous impact on my life. Larry is a part of who I am and who I will become. He opened my mind to a whole world that I would never have known if not for Larry. Larry and I spent a lot of time together since our meeting in 1998. He has been more influential than anyone I have ever had the pleasure to meet with the exception of my own father. I was his student and his friend. His virtues were many including charisma, patience, and a keen intellect. Every time that you were in his presence those virtues came shinning through and you were immediately aware that you were in the presence of greatness. A greatness very seldom encountered on this earth.

Larry touched everyone’s life that he came into contact with. He was kind, caring, gentle, and compassionate. He lived his life with a rare sincerity that graced our presence while he was with us. Every thing that Larry said had meaning and it was sincere from the heart. He shared his vast wealth of knowledge with all who would care to understand and he was all about the Music – All about Jazz. He would want to be remembered as a Jazz Man, a True Texas Tenor.

Larry was an incredible teacher and had so much to share with the world. Everyone who was touched by Larry will always carry a piece of him in their hearts for the rest of their lives.

He was a devoted father and dedicated and loving husband to his wife Marry. His music will live on forever in the hearts of the people who heard him and when you hear him you will know that it is Larry DC Williams on Tenor. I will always cherish the memories that I have of Larry and the time that we spent together. He always spoke highly of his family and his friends and of course of his musical influences of which there were many. He always spoke in the highest regard of his best friend – his number one Cat – Martin Banks.

I will teach my children about this Master Musician and dedicated Jazz man. They will speak of his name to their children and his memory will carry on forever. They will know that this man helped to shape their father and that he was a man worthy of remembrance. His legacy will not be forgotten.

Every time that I hear the music of John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, King Curtis, Fathead Newman, and Lou Donaldson I will remember and think of Larry. His Memory and legacy will live on in our hearts for ever. Larry was a great man in life and in the Music which burned in his veins. Larry DC Williams was and always will be my Hero – My Friend – My Cat.

One day in the midst of Spring, The sunshine did a curious thing. It hid its face, I wondered why. Did it hide its face to cry?

For in the night a north wind came, And brought the clouds and tears and rain. And when the rainy night was done, We realized a soul had gone.

A soul so sweet, like no other Father, husband, friend and brother. Gone now from this earthly place, To his new home in the Kingdom of Grace.

Leaving us with heavy hearts, Is not what he would wish to impart, So let us remember his eyes, his songs. A saxophone played and our hearts played along.

Precious memories to hold and carry, Of the gentle man we loved named Larry. And the twinkle that was in his eyes, Invites us now to improvise.

"Mr. Williams", how I referred to him, was my 7th grade band instructor at Kealing Junior High Magnet School. I admired Mr. Williams love for music along with the unwavering conductorship of his co-director James Polk. Together, these individuals made a fine team. For those lucky students who understood the rarity it was to be taught by these world class musicians---we are indeed the better.

Mr. Williams, I would say, was my all time favorite instructor for any music program in which I participated. At other times, and at other schools, I never felt the love for music as I did when Mr. Williams picked up the baton.