Founding Member Of Preston Scout House Band Passes

William (Bill) E. Meyers, one of the founding members of Preston Scout House Band, passed away at his home in Southampton, Ontario on July 4 at the age of 80. He was born October 17, 1931 in what is now the city of Cambridge but was then three separate communities: Preston, Galt and Hespeler.

Cremation has already taken place with a private family gathering scheduled for a later date in Muskoka, where he spent many happy years fishing and sailing at the family cottage on Skeleton Lake.

Preston Scout House Bugle Band originated in 1938 as an activity for members of the 1st Preston Boy Scout Troop, a community-based group founded by Preston pharmacist Wilf Blum. The band appeared in many local events throughout its early years, developing its distinctive marching style, arms swinging to shoulder height with knees raised high, while escorting members of the Galt-based Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRENS) on weekly church parades during World War II.

By the mid 1950s, the band was one of the most popular drum and bugle corps in North America.

After graduating from the Ontario College of Education, Bill Meyers taught for 25 years at Mitchell District High School in Mitchell, Ontario. He served as a warden at Mitchell Trinity Anglican Church for many years. He participated in local politics and was involved in developing several apartment buildings.

He is survived by wife Joan Meyers (Canning) of Southampton; daughter Cathy Ross and her husband Brian of Severn Bridge, Ontario; son Bill Meyers and his wife Susan (Langlois) of Clinton; grandchildren Curtis (Jenna), Brent (Andrea) and Maurissa, all of Clinton; stepchildren Susan and George Layland and family; Sandra and Don Leslie and family of St. Mary’s

In lieu of flowers and donations, the family requests that individuals make a donation of time and love to their own families.

For more information about Preston Scout House Alumni Band, which will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the original band’s founding in 2013, contact Activities Director Nancy Weiler at telephone (519) 653-3376, email prestonscouthouseband [dot] adm [at] sympatico [dot] ca or visit the Web site at http://www.scouthouseband.com/.