William Pickett

William Pickett of Key West passed away on April 8, 2014 at Sunrise Health and Rehab nursing home in Sunrise Florida.

William was born in East Scituate Rhode Island in 1928. William and his life partner, Ralf Harmer, came to Key West in the 1970s after William retired from a career as the choir and chorus director at Arts High School in Newark, New Jersey.

Among his many distinguished students was Melba Moore. William was a child prodigy on the organ and served as organist at the cathedral in Providence Rhode Island beginning at age 14. He graduated from the New England Conservatory before going on to obtain his Master of Music degree at Yale University. He received his Doctorate in Sacred Music from Union College in New York City. William was also a leading baritone in various opera companies in New York and New Jersey. He staged the New Jersey premier of the Ballad of Baby Doe in 1962.

Upon retiring to Key West William continued sharing his music by giving solo recitals and playing in churches. He also gave voice lessons as well as piano and organ lessons to many Key West music students. He formed Opera Miniatures of Key West which staged full performances of Madama Butterfly, Cavalleria Rusticana and Romeo and Juliet by Gounod at the San Carlos Opera House.
He was a favorite of Wilhelmina Harvey for playing at her birthday parties at the Key West Womens Club.

William will be remembered as a generous teacher by all of the many students whose lives he touched by sharing his remarkable musical gifts. For many his musical influence was transformative and will continue to reverberate around the community.

A celebration of William's life will be scheduled at a later date.

Serenity Funeral Home and Cremation has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.