Wesley Tramill

Wesley Vernon Tramill died peacefully of natural causes at his home at Lake Annabel Monday night, September 5, 2011, at age 92 years and one day. Born September 4, 1919, in Kansas City, Missouri to Charles and Ruth Elizabeth Tramill, he grew up with brother Ray at 1216 Huntington Road, attended Border Star School and Southwest High School where he played clarinet in band. He advanced his playing under the proud tutelage of Sy Dewar, later of Hollywood. Pursuing his interest in music he played tenor saxophone and woodwinds in bands, including Al Vinn, and Benny Strong"s band at hotels throughout the South and other parts of the country, augmenting his artistry with endeavors at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He sought the company of those who chose the disciplined artistry of music and expressive ways of living. Serving in World War II in the Aleutian Islands as Staff Sergeant, 239th Army Ground Force Band, he played Hail to the Chief for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, played entertainment appearances by Errol Flynn, and escorted Olivia De Haviland to the stage for her appearances with Flynn. After serving with distinction in the harsh conditions of the Aleutians, Wes came home to Kansas City, assisted in the family business, Tramill-Rehn Lumber, on 15th Street, and continued playing locally for many years including with his own groups, The Tune Toppers and more recently, Crown Royale. He played at the Music Hall accompanying Edgar Bergan and Charlie McCarthy, a radio broadcast proudly attended by his mother Ruth Elizabeth Tramill. He played bass clarinet for the walk-on of the character Mortimer Snerd. He played in the orchestra as Sally Rand graced the stage at the Tower Theater. His group played such venues as the Continental Hotel, the Muehlebach, Mission Hills Country Club, Fort Leavenworth Officers Club, Tomahawk Hills Country Club, Glenwood Manor, weddings, parties, and dances. Wes enjoyed the music and friendships he shared with many, including Gordon Gailey, piano, Dallas; Dean Stringer, woodwinds, Lee"s Summit; Frank Meeker, piano, Kansas City; Warren Bowman, piano, Kansas City; longtime agent Johnny Coon, Ted Dreer of Kansas City Local of the Musicians Union, Patty Tucker, singer divine, and other sidemen and acquaintances whose music he respected and whose friendship he valued. He was manager of the Building Materials Department at Montgomery Ward St. John Store. After marriage and divorce to Rowena Burch, Wes raised their son Tom on Brooklyn Avenue at 75th Terrace. Wes"s parents, Charles and Ruth, joined them there living as extended family. In the early 60s, Wes and Tom moved to 78th Terrace and Tomahawk, Prairie Village. Wes was employed as building cost estimator at R.L. Sweet Lumber Company and raised a family with Judy Smith Tramill. Throughout these years he continued to play tenor saxophone with his group Crown Royale on weekends. In his later years he lived with companion Lillian Gold in a lovely natural setting at Lake Annabel, South Olathe. It was here that he lived his last with companionship of his son, Tom of Sun Valley, Idaho. Always full of fond stories of family and friends, recollections with humor of a full and long life, his bright engaging wit was still shining in his bright eyes even as his life"s light quietly dimmed. Wes is interred in the Tramill family plot in Paola Cemetery. Preceded in death by his parents Charles and Ruth Tramill, brother Ray, daughter Karen Elizabeth, former wives Rowena Normand and Judy Smith Tramill, and companion Lillian Gold. Wes is survived by son Tom Tramill, daughter Amy Povich, grandson Luke Povich, granddaughter Lauren Kimsey, stepdaughters Terry Crossland, Denise Horak, and Robin Mills, niece Carolyn Hunter and family. You may contact Tom at 913-592-5272. Left in the care of his son Tom, his beloved Saint Bernard, Beethoven. Paola Cemetery, Paola Kansas Service: Private Service Visitation: No Visitation