William (“Bill”) Roy Trego, 87, a resident of Concord, Massachusetts, passed away on Sunday, March 11, 2018 from multiple health issues. Born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on June 22, 1930, he was the only child of the late John and Almeda (Von Dreele) Trego. Bill was predeceased by his devoted wife, Patricia Mae (Yordy) Trego. They were high school sweethearts and enjoyed sixty-four years of marriage.
Bill and Patty spent the first year of their marriage living in Princeton, NJ, while Bill finished his Masters degree at Westminster Choir College. After the completion of school, they set off to build their new life in El Dorado, Arkansas, where Bill got his first teaching job. During their 11 years in Eldorado, they had their only child, Kimberlie (Trego) Sachs and Bill totally found his calling teaching young people to sing.
Bill and Patty spent the majority of their lives together in West Windsor, New Jersey, where Bill taught choral music at Princeton High School for 28 years and at Princeton University for 20 years. Bill taught his ‘kids’ to produce beautiful music that they could be proud of, but he taught them so much more in addition. For countless students he filled in as a father-figure, life coach, mentor and friend. He truly cared for each and every one and was able to connect with them using his positive, loving outlook and his extraordinary sense of humor. Bill collaborated with his Associate Director Nancianne Parrella, to build an award winning choir program at Princeton High School that received and accepted invitations to perform throughout North America and Europe. Past students, some in their seventies, still seek Bill out and they chronicle their memories on a Facebook page titled, “We love William Trego”.
In retirement, Bill and Patty moved to Carlisle, Massachusetts to be near Kimberlie and her husband Bruce Sachs. In addition to Kimberlie and Bruce, Bill is survived by his sister-in-law, Janet (Murdock) Yordy, nieces, nephews and a myriad of students who benefited from their time with him. He will be sorely missed by all.
Friends and relatives will be received on Friday, March 16, 2018 from 1:30 to 2:30 PM at the Shaw Funeral Home 400 N. Front St. Milton. Funeral services will begin at 2:30 with the Rev. Richard L. Kellett officiating. Burial will follow in Church Hill Cemetery, Lewisburg.
Condolences may be shared at shawfuneralhomeinc.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Princeton High School Choir, 151 Moore Street, Princeton, NJ 08540.
