Former Principal and Band Director remembered in Gadsden

Billy "Rip" Reagan

Hundreds filled Gadsden City High School's auditorium Sunday evening to celebrate the life of Billy “Rip” Reagan.  Reagan, longtime director of the Emma Sansom High School Band and the Gadsden State    Reagan is best remembered for taking the sedate band shows of the 1950s and making them flashy, loud and entertaining shows.  As the many people Reagan touched throughout his life entered the auditorium Sunday evening, they were greeted by Jimmie Henderson, Brian Bankston, Gary Chumney, Arnold Montgomery and Charlie Freeman, performing in the lobby.  Steve Reagan, Rip Reagan's son, had asked him to get together some musicians to play.

Show Band, died Friday, and will be laid to rest today following a graveside service at Forrest Cemetery.

The Gadsden Symphony Orchestra had performed at the auditorium just before the funeral for Reagan. Its members stayed to perform “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Amazing Grace.”

As the service drew to a close, all Reagan's former band students, from high school and college, were asked to come outside, where former band director and current Gadsden City High School Administrator Russ Waits instructed them in a final salute as Reagan's casket was brought out of the school.

The former students, who made up more than half those in attendance, lined the sidewalk for a final call to attention.