Obituary for Wayne Eugene Muller
Surrounded by family, Wayne Eugene Muller, 95, of Stillwater passed away peacefully on March 25, 2023. A celebration of his life will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 31st, 2023 at the Stillwater First United Methodist Church. To watch a live stream of the service go to this link;
https://www.youtube.com/live/4PevQgq6EaU?feature=share
Wayne was born in Bristow, Oklahoma on September 7, 1927 to Charles and Thelma (Rix) Muller. He graduated from Bristow High School in 1945. As a young man, Wayne was a competitive fast pitch softball pitcher, a rodeo calf roper, and a talented musician with a love of music and performance.
After high school, he attended Oklahoma A&M on a music scholarship before being drafted into the U.S. Army at the end of WWII. After honorable discharge, he returned to A&M to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education and performance.
In college, he could be frequently spotted playing bass at hot spots such as Swims and Peck's Lodge with a popular dance band called the Varsitonians. A gifted musician, Wayne was most notably known for his talent on strings but was able to play a variety of instruments including brass, woodwinds, and percussion. While performing in the annual Varsity Revue program, he couldn't help but notice a particular performer on stage, Patsy Rosenaur. Patsy would become the love of his life and they married on December 28, 1950 in her hometown of Mena, Arkansas. Married for 72 years, this loving union would be blessed with 5 children and 10 grandchildren.
Upon graduation, Wayne accepted a position with the Amarillo TX ISD. At various times during this tenure, Wayne served as band, marching band and orchestra conductor for Sam Houston Junior High, Amarillo High School and Tascosa High School while earning a master's degree in music education at West Texas State College in Canyon, Texas. He earned a reputation for being one of the best band directors in the state of Texas with his groups earning the highest ratings possible at competitions.
While becoming a highly sought-after conductor, Wayne was recruited by Dr. Joseph Maddy, President of the world-renowned Interlochen National Music Camp, to join the faculty with the summer camp programs. Wayne was commissioned to run the music exploration program and serve as the conductor for the Intermediate orchestra. For 13 years, Wayne and his family relocated during summer months to the camp where he joined other prominent educators and leaders mentoring young, creative talent in music and the arts. He was known as an energetic conductor and influential teacher to many gifted young players who would later become outstanding, nationally known musicians. While there, he had the chance to work with a variety of celebrities and was once interviewed about the programs by Today Show host Hugh Downs.
Wayne returned to his alma mater in 1966 when he was offered a faculty position with the OSU Music Department. He served as conductor for the OSU Symphony orchestra, responsible for introducing many students to a repertoire of rich classical works. One of his most notably ambitious projects includes offering concert performances of Handel's Messiah with full orchestra, faculty soloists and chorus as a gift to the community. He taught a variety of courses in composing and arranging and recruited many outstanding students into OSU's program. He continued to serve as an inspiration for countless directors throughout OK and the region before retiring as Associate Professor in 1989. Following his retirement he continued to contribute to music education by starting a string program in the public schools at College Station, Texas, and serving as orchestra conductor for Midland Lee High School in Midland, Texas. In honor of his many accomplishments, Wayne was inducted into the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1996.
Wayne loved Stillwater and was proud to be part of the community for more than 57 years. He loved coaching little league baseball, fishing, tinkering on cars and boats, playing golf, and attending OSU athletic events. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, the Methodist Mens organization, and served as past President and song leader for the Golden K Kiwanis organization.
Wayne will be remembered as a beloved husband, father, and grandfather -always encouraging and supporting his children and grandchildren with their interests and activities.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and older brother Harold Muller.
He is survived by his wife, Patsy; daughter Sara and husband David Peters and their daughter Rachel and husband Austin Mitchell; sons Robert and wife Donna Muller and their daughters, Rebecca and husband Louis Alacci, Nicollette Muller, and Emily and husband Nathan Wiatrek; Joe and wife Julie Muller and their sons, Jaxon Muller, Brandon and wife Abby Muller and Matthew Muller; daughter Elizabeth and husband Martyn Buffler, and their children Kate Buffler, Grace Buffler, and Luke Buffler; son John Muller and brother Jim Muller and additional extended family members.
Those wishing to honor Wayne's memory may do so by contributing to Golden K Kiwanis in care of Strode Funeral Home. Donations may be mailed to the funeral home at 610 S. Duncan, Stillwater, OK 74074 or made via the "Make A Payment" link on the funeral home website.
Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family and an online obituary viewed by visiting www.strodefh.com.
https://www.youtube.com/live/4PevQgq6EaU?feature=share
Wayne was born in Bristow, Oklahoma on September 7, 1927 to Charles and Thelma (Rix) Muller. He graduated from Bristow High School in 1945. As a young man, Wayne was a competitive fast pitch softball pitcher, a rodeo calf roper, and a talented musician with a love of music and performance.
After high school, he attended Oklahoma A&M on a music scholarship before being drafted into the U.S. Army at the end of WWII. After honorable discharge, he returned to A&M to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education and performance.
In college, he could be frequently spotted playing bass at hot spots such as Swims and Peck's Lodge with a popular dance band called the Varsitonians. A gifted musician, Wayne was most notably known for his talent on strings but was able to play a variety of instruments including brass, woodwinds, and percussion. While performing in the annual Varsity Revue program, he couldn't help but notice a particular performer on stage, Patsy Rosenaur. Patsy would become the love of his life and they married on December 28, 1950 in her hometown of Mena, Arkansas. Married for 72 years, this loving union would be blessed with 5 children and 10 grandchildren.
Upon graduation, Wayne accepted a position with the Amarillo TX ISD. At various times during this tenure, Wayne served as band, marching band and orchestra conductor for Sam Houston Junior High, Amarillo High School and Tascosa High School while earning a master's degree in music education at West Texas State College in Canyon, Texas. He earned a reputation for being one of the best band directors in the state of Texas with his groups earning the highest ratings possible at competitions.
While becoming a highly sought-after conductor, Wayne was recruited by Dr. Joseph Maddy, President of the world-renowned Interlochen National Music Camp, to join the faculty with the summer camp programs. Wayne was commissioned to run the music exploration program and serve as the conductor for the Intermediate orchestra. For 13 years, Wayne and his family relocated during summer months to the camp where he joined other prominent educators and leaders mentoring young, creative talent in music and the arts. He was known as an energetic conductor and influential teacher to many gifted young players who would later become outstanding, nationally known musicians. While there, he had the chance to work with a variety of celebrities and was once interviewed about the programs by Today Show host Hugh Downs.
Wayne returned to his alma mater in 1966 when he was offered a faculty position with the OSU Music Department. He served as conductor for the OSU Symphony orchestra, responsible for introducing many students to a repertoire of rich classical works. One of his most notably ambitious projects includes offering concert performances of Handel's Messiah with full orchestra, faculty soloists and chorus as a gift to the community. He taught a variety of courses in composing and arranging and recruited many outstanding students into OSU's program. He continued to serve as an inspiration for countless directors throughout OK and the region before retiring as Associate Professor in 1989. Following his retirement he continued to contribute to music education by starting a string program in the public schools at College Station, Texas, and serving as orchestra conductor for Midland Lee High School in Midland, Texas. In honor of his many accomplishments, Wayne was inducted into the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1996.
Wayne loved Stillwater and was proud to be part of the community for more than 57 years. He loved coaching little league baseball, fishing, tinkering on cars and boats, playing golf, and attending OSU athletic events. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, the Methodist Mens organization, and served as past President and song leader for the Golden K Kiwanis organization.
Wayne will be remembered as a beloved husband, father, and grandfather -always encouraging and supporting his children and grandchildren with their interests and activities.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and older brother Harold Muller.
He is survived by his wife, Patsy; daughter Sara and husband David Peters and their daughter Rachel and husband Austin Mitchell; sons Robert and wife Donna Muller and their daughters, Rebecca and husband Louis Alacci, Nicollette Muller, and Emily and husband Nathan Wiatrek; Joe and wife Julie Muller and their sons, Jaxon Muller, Brandon and wife Abby Muller and Matthew Muller; daughter Elizabeth and husband Martyn Buffler, and their children Kate Buffler, Grace Buffler, and Luke Buffler; son John Muller and brother Jim Muller and additional extended family members.
Those wishing to honor Wayne's memory may do so by contributing to Golden K Kiwanis in care of Strode Funeral Home. Donations may be mailed to the funeral home at 610 S. Duncan, Stillwater, OK 74074 or made via the "Make A Payment" link on the funeral home website.
Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family and an online obituary viewed by visiting www.strodefh.com.