Harold E. "Duck" Wilmoth, 75, of Chattanooga, died on Saturday, June 10, 2006 from injuries received in an auto accident while on vacation in Orlando, Florida.
Mr. Wilmoth served four years in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return to Tennessee from the Air Force he attended Tennessee Tech University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education in 1957.
He conducted the Rhea Central High School Band program from 1957-1963. From 1963-1987 Mr. Wilmoth conducted band programs in the Hamilton County and Chattanooga City public school systems with the majority of this time conducting the award winning Tyner Junior and Senior High School band programs.
During his teaching career he was a member and past president of the East Tennessee Band and Orchestra Association. He retired from teaching in 1987.
After retirement, Mr. Wilmoth served as a volunteer lobbyist for the Chattanooga – Hamilton County Retired Teachers Association. He conducted the Metro Musician’s community band, volunteered at the Tennessee Aquarium, was president of the Bal Harbor Neighborhood Association and worked with the Alexian Brothers-Senior Neighbors RSVP program.
Mr. Wilmoth also owned and operated Boots & Jeans clothing store and was co-owner of Shallowford Plaza. He attended the Lake Hills Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Birchie Mae Wilmoth Davis and John Wilmoth and two brothers, Lewis Wilmoth and Charlie Wilmoth.
Mr. Wilmoth is survived by his wife of 49 years, Wanda DeFord Wilmoth; two daughters, Kathy Goforth and Denise Woody; four grandchildren, Katherine and Kristin Goforth, Jessica and Rebecca Woody, all from Chattanooga; three sisters, Ida Barker and Margaret Wilmoth of Cookeville, Tennessee and Johnnie Chastain of Medway, OH; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home chapel with Minster Jeff Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 2–4 and 6–8 p.m. on Sunday and from 11 a.m. until service time on Monday at the funeral home.
Donations may be made to the scholarship fund of the Hamilton County Retired Teacher’s Association, 6703 Bonny Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist.
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