Edgar Parke Billups

February 24, 1934 - November 11, 2009
Edgar Parke Billups

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Edgar P. Billups, 75, of Etowah, NC, died Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at the Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard.

He was the son of the late Mary Ruth Person Billups and Edgar Billups, a Methodist minister who served the church in Brevard when Edgar was a young boy. He was preceded in death by his son, E. Parke Billups.

He entered Syracuse University in 1952 and earned a Bachelor of Music degree. Awarded a Fulbright in 1957, he spent a year in Germany studying with the renowned blind organist and noted Bach interpreter, Helmut Walcha. He returned to Syracuse and earned a Masterís degree in organ in 1960. Billups also undertook choral studies with Sir David Willcocks and Robert Shaw and orchestral conducting with Elizabeth Green.

In the summer of 1969, he was appointed organist-choirmaster to All Saintís Church in Pontiac, MI, a position he held for five years. He then moved to a similar post at Christ Church in Grosse Pointe, MI, where he remained for a decade. In 1975, he was called to the Parish of Saint Paul in San Diego, CA, where he served until his retirement at the end of 2002.

From 1976 until his retirement, Billups served on the faculty of the University of California at San Diego as Lecturer in Organ; since 1958, he had also taught organ privately. He served as Dean of the Detroit Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and as President of the Association of Anglican Musicians, a national organization of musicians, clergy and laity within the Episcopal Church. In 1997, he was created a Cathedral Canon, perhaps the highest honor the church can bestow on a layman, and he served as Canon Precentor until his retirement.

Signal honors have included a Concurrent Resolution of Tribute from the Michigan State Legislature and Michigan Teacher of the Year. For a number of years, he was listed in the International Whoís Who in Music, and in 2002, the International Biographical Society of Cambridge, England affirmed him as one of the outstanding musicians of the Twentieth Century. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

He was a model train enthusiast and served on the Board of Directors of the Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society. His book on the George Washington, a classic American train, is soon to be published.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janet Billups of Etowah and daughter, Brooke Redgrave of Baltimore, MD.

Edgar will always be known for his rapport with people and many have noted, ìHe never met a stranger.î

A memorial service will be held at a later date.


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  • November 25, 2009
    Wanda Bailey says:
    Mr. Billups has given us many gifts by living a life of meaning and service. In particular, he has made a great impression on our family through his service as choir director. Our daughter sang with the St. Paul's Girls Choir and our two sons participated in the St. Paul's Boys Choir. This participation has given them many wonderful memories, many lessons learned, and inspiration for their lives now. Our daughter, Kristina Vevia, is a college student and has already demonstrated many leadership skills. One son, David Vevia, is currently preparing to serve as an elementary school teacher. Our oldest son, Jonathan Vevia, is currently a music director at Lutheran High School in San Diego and Church of Joy. I am one hundred percent sure that Mr. Billups played a signficant role in his career choice and is seen by Jon as a wonderful mentor. As a mother, I am grateful for the role that Mr. Billups played in the lives of our children. He gave of himself and his time. He even attended Jon's high school graduation and continued to communicate with him as he studied music in college. I know that God used Mr. Billups to touch many lives, including ours. I know that he will be missed but his legacy will live on.

  • November 20, 2009
    William Blakeslee says:
    Edgar was the first person associated with the music dept. of St. Paul's when I became a member there in 2000. He influenced the music so much there. He left an indelible mark at St. Paul's.

  • November 20, 2009
    Tom and Naomi Schuettge says:
    Jan Really sorry to hear about Edgar's passing. As Head Usher and Altar Guild Dirctor of St. Paul's Cathedral, we worked together for more than 25 years. So many memories. All those Chrismas Eve Services, and the St. George's Day annual celebration are never to be forgotten. Especially, the Queen's vist - the Queen came because of Edgar's music program. Besides being an accomplished Organist, Edgar was a master at organizing and training church musicians. The world is a better place because of his musical contributions. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Brooke.c

  • November 19, 2009
    Robert Heylmun says:
    Along with being a great musician, Edgar had a wonderful sense of humor. We used to swap short jokes (some of them less than clean) during the Peace when I served at the altar. I was greatly saddened by his death and I will remember him always.

  • November 19, 2009
    Paul Carroll says:
    So sorry to hear Mr. Billups died. I was in the boy's choir from 78-83 and have some fun memories of that time. He's with Parke now and like Parke will be missed. My prayers and thoughts are with Jan and Brooke.