Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

VPA Remembers Professor Emeritus William ‘Will’ O. Headlee

Friday, December 18, 2020, By Erica Blust
Share
College of Visual and Performing ArtsHendricks ChapelSetnor School of Music

William “Will” O. Headlee, professor emeritus of organ in the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ (VPA) Rose, Jules R. and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music and Syracuse University organist emeritus, passed away on Nov. 9, in Syracuse. He was 90.

Headlee came to Syracuse University to study with noted organist Arthur Poister and earned a master of music degree in 1953, following undergraduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with Jan Philip Schinhan. He retired from the University in May 1992 after 36 years of teaching, academic service and continuous choir directing activity, including six seasons with the Hendricks Chapel Choir.

Professor Emeritus Will HeadleeHeadlee was active in the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and the Organ Historical Society, performing at many conventions. He served as organist at Park Central Presbyterian Church in Syracuse from 1992 until his passing.

“Headlee was a lifelong mentor and friend to me and many other organ students,” says Jim Potts ’74, who serves as organist and choirmaster at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Syracuse. “His influence on me as an organist and a church musician was unsurmountable.”

In 2010, Headlee helped celebrate the 60th anniversary of the University’s Holtkamp Organ in Setnor Auditorium in Crouse College with a performance of pieces that he particularly connected to the organ, including Seth Bingham’s Rhythmic Trumpet (No. 4 from Baroques, 1944), which was recorded and shared by the Syracuse chapter of the AGO. He also moderated panel sessions and helped develop content for the 2019 Syracuse Legacies Organ Conference, an event celebrating Poister, Walter Holtkamp Sr. and Calvin Hampton.

“I am so grateful I had a chance to get to know Will Headlee over the past seven years,” says Anne Laver, assistant professor of organ in the Setnor School and current University organist. “He was a first-rate musician with a keen ear, and you could always count on him to give you his honest opinion of a performance. Will represented the best of humanity. He was kind, generous and devoted to his students.”

A celebration of Headlee’s life will be held at a later time. Memorials in honor of him can be directed to the Setnor School of Music by contacting Mike Grannis, assistant director of development and alumni relations, at 315.708.2377 or mjgranni@syr.edu.

  • Author

Erica Blust

  • Recent
  • Empowering Learners With Personalized Microcredentials, Stackable Badges
    Thursday, July 3, 2025, By Hope Alvarez
  • WISE Women’s Business Center Awarded Grant From Empire State Development, Celebrates Entrepreneur of the Year Award
    Thursday, July 3, 2025, By Dawn McWilliams
  • Rose Tardiff ’15: Sparking Innovation With Data, Mapping and More
    Thursday, July 3, 2025, By News Staff
  • Paulo De Miranda G’00 Received ‘Much More Than a Formal Education’ From Maxwell
    Thursday, July 3, 2025, By Jessica Youngman
  • Law Professor Receives 2025 Onondaga County NAACP Freedom Fund Award
    Thursday, July 3, 2025, By Robert Conrad

More In Campus & Community

Rose Tardiff ’15: Sparking Innovation With Data, Mapping and More

While pursuing a bachelor’s degree in geography in the Maxwell School, Rose Tardiff ’15 became involved with the Salt City Harvest Farm, a community farm near Syracuse where newcomers from all over the world grow food and make social connections….

Paulo De Miranda G’00 Received ‘Much More Than a Formal Education’ From Maxwell

Early in his career, Paulo De Miranda G’00 embarked on several humanitarian aid and peacekeeping assignments around the world. “When we concluded our tasks, we wrote reports about our field work, but many times felt that little insight was given…

Law Professor Receives 2025 Onondaga County NAACP Freedom Fund Award

College of Law Professor Suzette Meléndez, director of the Syracuse Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic, was honored with a 2025 Onondaga County NAACP Freedom Fund Award at their 45th Annual Freedom Fund Award Dinner. Meléndez received the Maye, McKinney & Melchor Freedom…

A&S Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to Retire; New Appointment Announced

After over four decades of dedicated service to the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), Professor Gerald Greenberg is retiring at the end of 2025. He transitioned from his role as A&S senior associate dean for academic affairs; humanities; and…

Delaware Nonprofit Leader Begins 2-Year Term as Alumni Association President

Alonna Berry ’11, executive director of the Delaware Center for Justice and a graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences, is the new president of the Syracuse University Alumni Association (SUAA) Board of Directors, as of July 1, 2025….

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.