Willie Judson LaGrone

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

I am deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved teacher, mentor and friend. He found a way to reach us, support us and guide us even when we didn't recognize it. Times and memories with the SPHS band and Mr. LaGrone still bring a smile to my face, always will.

Jud and family, I did not ever have the opportunity to meet your grandfather and namesake. The messages on the guestbook are a testiment of an exordinary man. He sounds like he was a teacher in every sense of the word. He didn't just teach from the books, music, or flying. It sounds as if he taught about life. He was apparently respected by all who knew him. How awesome for you as a family that he belonged to you. Prayers for peace and comfort in your time of sorrow, but when you look toward the sky I bet you will be able to see him sore high with his new wings. God Bless.

Mr. Lagrone was a great band director. South Park always made a great showing on the field when he was there. One less musician in the world now that he's gone, but so many more because of him. My sympathy to his family.

I was so sorry to hear of Uncle Bill's passing. I have some great memories of hunting and fishing with him as I grew up. One thing about Uncle Bill - he never let adverse conditions stop him from having fun. I remember fishing with him in freezing rain and duck hunting when the mosquitos were so thick they were like an extra layer of clothes. But I seem to remember we always caught fish and got ducks, and had great times through all of it.

All of our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Minnette and family,

My deepest sympathy on your loss. My Father just passed 6 weeks ago. Willie was a real mentor to me. From teaching me to fly, to helping hire me to fly with him at Jeff. County Mosquito Control, he helped spark an interest in aviation which culminated in my career as a pilot with American Airlines. All the fishing trips in between flying, and of course, going out with you guys in search of the perfect fried oyster. Please know that your entire family is in our prayers for comfort and healing. May God keep you surrounded with loving friends during this time.

I never had Mr. LaGrone as my band director, but I have heard so many great things about him.....he will forever be in the memories of so many South Park "Greenies"..the family will be in my heart, thoughts and prayers!

My prayers and thoughts are with Mr. LaGrone's family.
Mr. LaGrone was my first marching band instructor and to this day. I always step with my left foot first.

left Sabrina left Gee McNabb
S.P.H.S '75

My prayers go out to all the family of Willie. I first met him in jr High school when I was in the band and I wanted to quit. He sat me down and talked about the high school band and I never ever wanted to quit again. His love for music and all the students was so deep. He taught me so much and I will always be thankful to him. He was so much more than just a teacher to all of us.

Jud,
So sorry to hear about your Grandfather. Know that he is watching over you and will always be with you. You know how much my Grandmother meant to me and I thank you again for being there in our time of grief. We're always here for you!!

Love always,
Leigh and Shelby

One of my regrets in life was I didn't get to go to the school where Willie taught aviation. I was very envious of the students who were so lucky to be mentored by a true gentleman. Many mornings I was pleasantly surprised by the yellow agwagon he flew as he buzzed our house. Pilots are plane people with a special air about them. I'll miss you my friend, mentor, aviation hero.

Coda Riley

Fortunately for me, my name was known to Mr. Lagrone through my sister Jacqui and my brother Mitch. Mr. Lagrone was their band director. Where musical talent had run out by the time I came along a deep desire to fly replaced it. I still remember the first day of aviation class at South Park H.S. and Mr. Lagrone looking over his reading glasses asking if I was Jacqui and Mitch’s little brother. To say the he impacted my life would be as big an understatement as saying the sun is a little warm. I wouldn’t be today what I am without him. He was my first flight instructor, my mentor, my friend and the most influential figure in my life. My father knew it and told him “I don’t know what would have happened with Carl if you hadn’t come along”. He forgave me for being a helicopter pilot. I hope he’ll forgive me for not know and running out of time. I had so much I still needed to say.

we miss you, willie.

Mr. LaGrone was an amazing teacher that took time to know each one of his students. He made you feel like you counted and made a difference with whatever it was you had to offer the world. I had related a story to my daughter earlier in the day, (2/16/11) because that's how his lessons were. Everyday lessons. A teacher in every since of the word. Soar Mr. Willie J. as we will with what you have been to us. 1972-1973.

To Mr.LaGrone's family. The SPHS class of 1969 are putting you in their prayers and thoughts.Mr. LaGrone was the best band director that South Park ever had.

Willie LaGrone was my high school band director from 1770-1973. I got in big trouble on more than one occasion. I guess you could say I kind of had a love/hate relationship during those years. I later had a Masters level music class with him at Lamar around 1980. After developing some maturity, I considered Willie a friend and colleague. I offer my condolences to his family. Steve Travis '74 SPHS

Mr. LaGrone was one of the toughest teachers I ever had in school, but he was geniune and caring and made sure we always gave our best in our efforts. He taught us so much more than just marching and how to play band instruments. He taught us not to settle for anything less than success in any of our accomplishments and he taught us respect that has stayed with us all these years. We all still swap stories about him and how he helped us all those years ago and yet we still follow the example he set before us. May God richly bless his family for sharing us all those nights and weekends of practices and performances that he was teaching us instead of being with them. He was a much beloved and respected teacher and friend.

My heart goes out to Mr. LaGrone's family. I played drums for Mr. LaGrone in the South Park High School Greenie Band in the early '70's. He was a very fine teacher, and cared about his band members.

To one of the most respected individuals I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. During my high school years in band he push each of us and pushed hard but it was well worth the pushes he gave in the long run. I will solely miss him.

Willie was like a second father to me in many ways. From the first time we met when I was in elementary school, to the last time I saw him - the day before he died - his friendship never waivered over almost 50 years. As a teacher he taught me so much more than music. As a pilot - he introduced me to the world of aviation and I know he held a special pride in so many of his students who earned their wings. Now he's earned the greatest wings there are and he'll forever be in flight with the angels.