Bill Harp

Bill Harp, 87, of Winter Beach, Fl, Vero Beach, Fl and Riverview, Fl passed into eternity with the Lord on September 7, 2026, at home in Riverview, Fl- his residence since 2021.

Bill lived in the Winter Beach/Vero Beach area for 82 years, serving the communities he loved. His ancestry goes back to 1906.  His grandmother and family came to Winter Beach in covered wagons to farm the fertile land.

Prior to graduating from Vero Beach High school in 1958, Bill played French horn for the VBHS marching and concert bands.

In the fall of 1958, Bill played French horn in the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) marching band until 1963, when he graduated from Ole Miss and returned to Vero Beach.  Bill began his 39-year teaching career at Vero Beach Junior High, where he taught music for 17 years.

Bill served the community in many ways. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church choir and First Baptist Church Choirs, as well as lending his tenor voice to area events. He was also a member of the Vero Beach Theatre Guild and Showcase Operetta, where he directed and performed in plays and musicals in the ‘70s and ‘80s.

In 2008, Bill began writing four books about the lives of his grandmother and family who lived in The Vero beach and Winter Beach area from 1906 to the 1980’s.

He has composed countless pieces of music for churches stemming from his deep and abiding faith in God.  His love of music and teaching inspired him to compose music for schools and events in the Vero Beach area.

In 1980, Bill married Kathy, his beloved wife of 46 years. Together they continued to serve the community by teaching in Vero Beach Public Schools and singing at musical events.

Bill is survived by his two sons, Mike (Blaine), and Beran as well as Mike and Sandy’s 4 children; Liam, Hannah, Abraham, and Emily, and Beran and Vanessa’s daughter, Carmela.

Burial for Bill will be in Winter Beach Pioneer Cemetery. The address is along Cemetery Road between 69^th St and 71^st Street in Winter Beach, Indian River County, Florida.

A gathering for friends and family will be held on Saturday, October 24 at 2:00 in Riverview Park, which is a scenic 18-acre waterfront community gathering space along the Indian River Intracoastal Waterway in Sebastian, Fl.  The address is US- 1 and Co Road 512 in Sebastian Fl at the pavilions. This area was one of Bill’s favorites for picnics, fishing and area restaurants.

Friends and family who would like to share a special memory of Billy will be invited to do so at the service.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.