Hudson – William (Bill) Munro Tower Jr., of Hudson, passed away at home at the age of 83 of lung cancer on April 27, 2021.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Janet (Jan) Hawkins Tower; son Joshua Tower of Oakland, Calif.; son Graham Tower of Marlborough, his wife Kerry, and their sons Douglas and Benjamin; daughter Julie Kilar of North Chelmsford, her husband Alex, and their sons Gregory and Daniel; sister Catherine Ann Farrah and her husband David, of Cherryfield, Maine; brother-in-law David Hawkins and his wife Joellen of Newton; brother-in-law Daniel Hawkins and his wife Illiana of Las Vegas, Nev.; and many caring nephews and nieces.
Bill was born on Nov. 11, 1937 in Boston to William Munro Tower Sr. and Catherine Ann Cappuccio Tower. He grew up spending time in the restaurant where his father was the head chef in Newton, which developed his love of cooking delicious meals for a crowd. As a child, he vacationed on Cape Cod with his family and ventured to Wells, Maine for church camp.
Music was Bill’s passion. He began his college education at Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia on a full scholarship for classical trumpet performance. Two years later, he transferred to The Juilliard School in New York City. Due to the transfer, he was drafted into the U.S. Army for three years. Bill served in the Army Field Band out of Washington, D.C.
After his service, Bill studied at The Boston Conservatory of Music, earning his Bachelor of Music Education. He then went on to New England Conservatory of Music to earn his Master’s in Music Performance.
Until last year, Bill played with many different groups, including The Suburbanaires Big Band, The Concord Band, and countless private performances for weddings and holidays. He taught private trumpet lessons through various music stores and out of his home. It brought Bill great joy to perform and share his knowledge and love of music with others.
After graduating from NEC, Bill was the band director in Norwood Middle School and Belmont High School for three years each. At that time he was the first chair trumpet in the Brookline Civic Symphony Orchestra. After teaching, he took on the role of general manager at Mead and Gould piano music store in Belmont. Next, Bill worked hard as the Kohler and Campbell piano salesman for the northeast region, traveling for four years.
In 1984, he bravely started his own business with IDS Life Insurance Company, now known as Ameriprise Financial Advisors. Bill excelled at helping people manage and plan for their financial futures and always put his clients’ interests over his own. At the end of his career, he enjoyed sharing an office with his son, Graham. Bill retired from financial planning in 2011 and appreciated more time with his family and music.
Jan and Bill met while they were both attending Boston Conservatory, Jan as a voice major. They were married on June 30, 1968 in Attleboro, honeymooned in Vinalhaven, Maine, and bought a two-family house in Watertown. In 1973, they moved to Concord where they and their children loved living within walking distance of the historic center. Bill and Jan moved to Grist Mill Road in Acton in 1987. After their children graduated from Acton-Boxborough R.H.S., they moved to Hudson in 2000. No matter where they lived, their lives were filled with music, family and an annual summer vacation to Vinalhaven, Maine.
Bill’s laugh could fill any room and he enjoyed talking with anyone, anytime. He was happy to host and entertain at a moment’s notice and would drive anywhere for a trumpet gig. Bill loved to talk cars and could bend your ear with stories of his former MG or the newest capabilities of his latest car. He was a dog-lover and had many canine companions over the years. Bill relished his role as Grampa to his four grandsons. He will be missed.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday June 3, from 4-7 p.m., at Tighe Hamilton Regional Funeral Home, 50 Central St., Hudson. A private service for family will be held shortly, officiated by Rev. Marshall Hawkins, Bill and Jan’s nephew.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Save The Music, which provides grants to schools to improve their music offerings.
