Don A. Campbell (1963)

Billy knew Jesus and he knew where he was going. What a brave man! The people in Bardstown loved him as much as all the Cadets did. I'm sure hes playing his trumpet again!

Mike Keeney (1964)

I knew Billy Lewis both from Millersburg Military Institue and CMA. Billy was one of those very special individuals who always had a kind word for everyone and always looked to find the good in everyone and every situation. He was also an extraordinary musician. 

During each of our lives, we meet many people. We probably have both good and in some cases not so good memories of many of those people. But there are always a few people, who when we think of them, we get a smile on our face when we think of them.  Billy Lewis was one of those special people for me who always brought a smile to my heart. He was truly a kind and good hearted soul.

I will miss him. Our lose will be heaven's gain. 

L. S. (Scott) Blankinship (1963)

I remember Billy all the way back to the late 1950s when he first came to Millersburg Military Institute in Kentucky.  He didn’t play sports, he was an ok student, and he was not really into the military stuff. 

Billy was assigned to Band company because he could play the trumpet. It didn’t take long to find out where Billy excelled, and he was so good that it didn’t take any time before he was the standout talent of Band Company. 

For five years, Billy was an integral part of band company.  He was in the marching band,  the school’s concert band, and in the dance band.  I can remember hearing him practicing in the Band Company barracks.  You could not see him, but his music floated throughout the campus and everyone listened.

When he played in concert or at dances, he was outstanding.  I can still hear him playing Cherry Pink and Apple  Blossom White  and Wonderland by Night at those venues.  He was so good.

Billy had a bubbly personality that immediately made one like him.  He was an all around great guy that everyone loved. In the summer 1962, a number of us who had attended MMI went to Maxton, NC where a new school, Carolina Military Academy (CMA) was opening in the fall.  We were something else, working hard to get things ready.  Billy didn’t let any grass grow under his feet, and it was not long at all before he had seemingly befriended half of Maxton.  He was just that kind of guy, always making friends.  

When school opened, Billy was key in forming and commanding the CMA band.  It took a lot of hard work to form a bunch of teenage boys with very little experience into a marching band doing complex maneuvers all the while playing.…but it happened, and we had quite an impressive band.  We marched down town on Sundays with Billy leading the band who was leading the Corps of Cadets.  The Maxton community loved it and was most welcoming to us.

The first year went by in a flash.  Billy’s contribution to the foundation of the school and the band had positive impact on so many. We sort of lost touch with Billy after graduation, only to get snippets of Billy’s life happenings.  It was wonderful to finally see him at the CMA reunions. After all those years, he was the same ole Billy of years gone by, only molded by time.  

To know Billy was an honor,  and I am one of the lucky ones who knew him.  He was an inspiration, a friend to all, and will be remembered for a very long time by many…..and oh boy, could he ever play the trumpet.

Rest in peace, good friend.

  1958