Willie Judson LaGrone

Mr. Lagrone was my mentor in life. He made us want to not try to do our best but "be" our best. It was not all about music. I will miss him in death as I did when he was alive.

See you later Mr. Lagrone (I could never call him Willie).

Danny

Bill was my brother. Eleven years older than me, I loved him and admired him- still, to this day. Minnette, his wife, took good care of him and I love her for it and Billie and Susan, his children- what great kids! I spent many hours with them when they were little and they grew into fine adults. Bill was all state trumpet player when I started school and he was a tough act to follow- all the way up. He was a master musician and teacher, but his passion was flying. Model planes hung from his ceiling at home far out of my reach and he became a pilot before I finally did in the Air Force. I found my love of the outdoors with Bill on trips to the Bay, the Marsh and the
Woods. He was patient but tough. Once again he goes before me. Bill, I hope you are there at the Hunting Ground and one day(when I catch up like always) we will again be happy running in the fields with our dogs, Tiger and Blossom and the Duchess.
Love- Mike

I was S>P> band class of '69. Mr. La Grone made our band a family. Many fond memories.

I was a student of his at West Brook in his aerospace 1 and 2 classes. What great times those were. He was passionate about his work and very blunt to students on how things are.

I also enjoyed his stories about his adventures why flying taht Ag-Wagon for Jeffereson county.

What a great educator he was.

Sad he had to leave us.

Willie,

Off to fly that crop dusting Ag-Wagon in the far far sky up yonder. Bet you beat an altitude record! God bless Willie's family. He touched many with his passion for aviation instruction, inspiring a love for things aerospace for several of us. Time to fire off some model rockets in your honor!

WBSH class of 86 alumni.
Aerospace class alumni

Gregory Fournerat

I was an aerospace student of Mr. LaGrone at West Brook in 1986. He was one of my all time favorite teachers. My sympathies for your loss.

To the family of Mr. LaGrone. May the peace which comes from the memories of love and good times shared, comfort and support your family in the days ahead. I had the good forturne, as well as many of my other classmates, to be a part of Mr. LaGrone's Aerospace class for 2 years at Westbrook High. He was truly an excellent eductor who always kept his classes enjoyable.

My most sincere sympathies to the Lagrone family. It has been decades since graduating high school, but my memories of Mr. Lagrone are still vivid. He has always been my favorite educator. I remember after going into the Navy, I was home on leave and spoke to his Aerospace classes about hoover crafts. What an honor. It was a good feeling to give back to him and his passion for aerospace. He was a good man. Fair winds and following seas.

Willie LaGrone was a large presence in my life as an adolescent and a teenager. With the many hours spent with him each week during daily band rehearsals along with summer marching practice, fund raising, and band trips, I believe he had more influence on me than any other adult in my life with the exception of my parents. Mr. LaGrone taught his students about honor, duty, responsibility, discipline, hardwork, and perseverance -- traits that hopefully have been ingrained to some degree in all of us.

I would like to extend my condolences and prayers to his family, and I hope that the memory of the fine man that he was can give them comfort in their time of grief.

I’ll never forget how apprehensive I was at the beginning of my freshman year in band. I’d heard how tough the high school band director was. Though I loved band I wasn’t sure I could make it through four years with a tough band director. Well I made it through. Yes, I made many mistakes in those four years, but I never felt undeserved criticism from him. Oh, he was tough all right, he had to be. He expected the best from us and he made you want to give him your best. But I never doubted that he cared for each of us in his own special way. And too, you knew all was well when he gave you that half grin of his.
What a wonderful man, mentor and friend. I will never forget him and will always cherish my days with Mr. LaGrone and the SPHS Band. Those were some of the best days of my life.

We will miss you Mr. LaGrone. Soar with the eagles.

To family and friends; I pray for God’s peace and comfort for you. Know that you will see him again when we too are called home.

Debbie