Hiram Henry, 90, director of bands for 24 years, died Thursday.

Hiram Henderson Henry, 90, of Stillwater died Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, in Stillwater. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. B. Gordon Edwards officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Family will greet friends from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Monday at Strode Funeral Home Chapel. Strode Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

He was born on July 24, 1918, in Raiford to Chester White Henry and Myra Anna (Morris) Henry, the fourth of six children. The family moved to Claremore in 1925. There he graduated from high school in 1936. He attended Oklahoma A&M College and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Instrumental Music in 1940. While at college he was a member of the band, orchestra, pep band and Student Entertainers. In 1940 he became band and orchestra director at Pauls Valley public schools. It was there he met his future wife, Wanda June Suggs, and they were married Nov. 27, 1941, in Pauls Valley.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II in April 1942 and was assigned to the Seabee Band was stationed in Norfolk, Va., and later in Williamsburg,Va. After two and a half years with the Seabee Band he was assigned to the Navy School of Music in Washington, D.C. as an instructor. He served there a year and was discharged from the Navy in October 1945. He entered the University of Southern California in November 1945 and received a Master of Music degree in July 1946.

He was invited to the join the staff of the Music Department at Oklahoma A&M College in 1946 as assistant director of bands, director of a newly formed all-girls band, and instructor of low brass and percussion. He advanced in rank from his initial appointment as instructor to full professor in 1967.

He was Director of Marching Bands until 1957 when he was appointed Director of Bands. He directed marching and concert bands until 1966 when an additional assistant director was hired for marching and pep bands. The Concert Band performed concerts on campus each year and took an annual concert tour throughout the state to various high schools and communities. They also performed at state music conferences and on area TV stations. One of the most popular activities of the band program was the summer concert series at Theta Pond. He was the conductor for 33 years. These summer band concerts inspired the establishment of the Stillwater Community Band that continues to flourish. He retired from Oklahoma State University in 1981 after 35 years. He remained active with student organizations including the OSU Alumni Band, Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, as well as attending many Music Department concerts and events.

Mr. Henry was known for providing consistent and loving daily assistance to his wife, Wanda, the nine years she was a resident at Westhaven Nursing Center. During that time, he chaired the Family Advocacy initiative. He was a dedicated father to Jan and Bob, and to their children and grandchildren, as an exemplary role model for living a full, selfless and giving lifestyle.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Wanda in June 2008; one brother, Britton Henry; and four sisters, Leona Tanner, Bonnie Helm, Velva Stewart and Kiamichie Brown.

He is survived by a daughter, Janice Brucker and her husband Bill of Columbia, Ill.; one son, Robert Henry and his wife Anna of Lubbock, Texas; five grandchildren, Katrina Kirby of Los Angeles; Chris Brucker of Millbrae, Calif.; Jeremy Brucker of Columbia, Ill.; Matthew Brucker of Columbia, Ill.; and Scott Henry of Dallas; four great grandchildren, Ashley Kirby of Columbia, Ill.; Caroline Molinier of Los Angeles; Jack Molinier, Jr., of Los Angeles; and Landon Brucker of Columbia, Ill.; and many nephews and nieces.

Memorials may be sent to the OSU Music Department,; Stillwater Medical Judith Karman Hospice, and Elderly Nutrition.

Hiram Henry at Westhaven Nursing Home, 90th birthday celebration, July 24, 2008.

Also a past conductor of the Stillwater Community Band, Henry is a member of the Hall of Fame of both the Oklahoma Music Educators Association and the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Service to Music Medal awarded by Kappa Kappa Psi, the National Honorary Band Fraternity.

Since his retirement, he has been active with Meals on Wheels and as a volunteer at Stillwater Medical Center.

He is a member of the Kiwanis Club and First Presbyterian Church.

Henry was named Stillwater’s Citizen of the Year by the Rotary Club of Stillwater in 2004.

Wanda June (Suggs) Henry, 84, of Stillwater, died after a lengthy illness on Sunday, June 8, 2008, in Stillwater. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday in First Presbyterian Church with Dr. B. Gordon Edwards officiating. Family will greet friends from 7 until 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Strode Funeral Home. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Strode Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Wanda was born on Aug. 20, 1923, in Pauls Valley, to Alba K. Suggs and Missouri J. (Demory) Suggs, the sixth of seven children. She grew up in Pauls Valley where she was active in the Presbyterian Church and served as a pianist for church youth groups. She was also an active member of the Order of the Rainbow, holding all stations, including pianist and Worthy Advisor. She was a delegate to a state convention where she received honors for perfect attendance and community service at her local chapter. Wanda was a cheerleader and sports queen in high school as well as a member of the student council, serving as president for one term, graduating high school as the salutatorian in 1941.

On Nov. 27, 1941, she married Hiram H. Henry. The couple lived in Pauls Valley until 1942 when Hiram joined the Navy. They then moved to the east coast where they lived in Norfolk, Va., Williamsburg, Va., and Washington, D.C. Wanda held secretarial positions during their time on the east coast. After World War II ended, they lived in Los Angeles while he attended the University of Southern California. Wanda continued her work as a secretary. In 1946, the couple moved to Stillwater where they had their children.

When her children were older, she worked as an administrative secretary to the assistant director of Cooperative Extension at Oklahoma State University for several years. She also attended OSU for special courses and was a sponsor and lifetime member of Tau Beta Sigma, National Sorority for band women. She accompanied the OSU Band on many trips as a chaperone. Wanda was also an honorary member of the University Society of Student Entertainers because of her years of support and help to the students involved.

Wanda was a mother, homemaker and career woman, and she also served as co-president of the P.T.A, was a member of many clubs including the Band Parent Club, Bridge Club, Square Dance Club, Lahoma Club and the St. Cecelia Music Club. She also worked with the youth group in the Presbyterian Church. She was a charter member of the Stillwater Medical Center Auxiliary and served with them for many years. She also took a course at the Indian Meridian Vo-Tech and received her Certified Nurses’ Aide certificate.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Luther Edward Suggs, Ansel Suggs, Kenneth Suggs and Karl Suggs; and two sisters, Clytelle Rosell and Thelma Alexander.

She is survived by her husband, Hiram H. Henry of Stillwater; one daughter, Janice Brucker and her husband, Bill, of Columbia, Ill.; one son, Robert Henry and his wife, Anna, of Lubbock, Texas; grandchildren, Katrina Kirby of Los Angeles, Calif., Chris Brucker of Millbrae, Calif., Jeremy Brucker of Columbia, Ill. and Scott Henry of Dallas, Texas; four great grandchildren, Ashley Kirby of Columbia, Ill., Caroline Molinier of Los Angeles, Jack Molinier Jr. of Los Angeles and Landon Brucker of Columbia, IL; and many nephews and nieces.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 N.E. 13th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104, Judith Karman Hospice, P.O. Box 818, Stillwater, OK 74076 or Oklahoma Arthritis Foundation, 500 N. Broadway Ave. #200, Oklahoma City, OK 73102