Bowling Green – Bennie Proctor Beach, Sr. died October 13, 2016. A native of Ethel, Mississippi, he was a retired Professor Emeritus of Music at WKU where he served from 1953 until 1981. He was an accomplished musician and composer, serving as a member of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra for 22 years. His musical career was highlighted by playing trumpet with his own jazz bands and with many nationally known musicians, including Glenn Miller and Count Basie. He composed many works for brass and voice, including two commissioned works which debuted at Carnegie Hall. He was a member of the Music Educators National Conference, The National Association Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, The National Federation of Musicians, Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity, The First Christian Church and a veteran of the United States Army Air Corp. He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly seventy years, Pearl Elizabeth Beach and his only child, Bennie Proctor Beach, Jr. Survivors include a grandchild, Hanna Beach Smith (Alan Smith), a great granddaughter, Chloe Pearl Smith and his daughter-in-law, Marlene Beach Cherry.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made in the form of contributions to The Bennie Beach, Jr. Scholarship Endowment Fund at the College Heights Foundation or the First Christian Church of Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Tuesday October 18, 2016 at First Christian Church, 1106 State St. Bowling Green, KY with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery #2. Visitation at the church will be Tuesday from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service.

Arrangements have been entrusted to J.C. Kirby & Son Lovers Lane Chapel.