William G. Bill" Mahone

William G. (Bill) Mahone, 78, of Clear Lake, a well-known North Iowa musician, died Friday, (May 28, 2004) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. At his request, his body was cremated and a memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Inurnment will be in Osage Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour before services Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the William G. Mahone memorial fund. Parents, E Katherine(Delaney) and Leslie Mahone welcomed Bill to life on November 1, 1925 in Ames, Iowa where he began his life as a musician at a young age with piano and clarinet lessons. One of his proud moments was being asked, as a fourth grader, to play the opening clarinet gliss of Gershwin?s ?Rhapsody in Blue? with the Iowa State University Band. He started playing occasionally with a local band at the age of 13 and from then on played with many groups until July, 2003 when he retired. His music studies continued through Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and DePaul University, after which he decided not to pursue a career in music, but to be a professional musician as an avocation. He moved to North Iowa in 1950 as a band instrument salesman for Carleton Stewart Music Company, and eventually became the piano and organ salesman for the company. He started tuning pianos in 1965, continuing until 1993. Many fans recall Bill as a member of the Hob Mason Quartet playing at the Red Llama, The Chart House, and the Sheraton, and also as a member of the North Iowa Jazz Ensemble, Mason City Big Band, Raiders of the Lost Art, and Spats and Flappers. Hearing the song ?Just a Closer Walk? evolves a memory of Bill?s long hold of a high note without breathing. One of the high points of his musical career was the year he spent with Freddie Powers and the Power House five in Reno, NV. Although the clarinet and saxophone were Bill?s primary instruments, he also played organ for many local parties and clubs in the 60?s and 70?s. Bill did have interests other than music. Serving as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force provided a strong desire to continue flying so he appreciated the opportunities to fly charters and for his pleasure. The annual spring Canadian fishing trip with his brother and pheasant hunting on opening day were always anticipated pleasures. Bill is survived by his daughter, Katherine Karstens and her three daughters Amanda, Lynn, and Sara of Broomfield, Co; his brother and sister-in-law, Lloyd & Marian Mahone of Westport, CT; nephews and their families; and his special friend, Marie Ahrens. He was preceded in death by his father in 1985 and his mother in 1990.

Visitation:
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Major Erickson Funeral Home on June 1, 2004 (map/driving directions) 4:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Major Erickson Funeral Home on May 30, 2004 (map/driving directions)

Service:
11:00 AM at Major Erickson Funeral Home on June 1, 2004 (map/driving directions)