Bruce Stockwell Demoll

Bruce Stockwell DeMoll, 86, of Vienna,W.Va. passed away October 12, 2016 at his residence. He was born July 13, 1930 in Marietta, Ohio, the only child of the late Mary Fisher DeMoll and Emmons DeMoll. Bruce began playing the saxophone professionally at the age of fifteen with Russ Chidester's Band. Upon graduation from Marietta High School, he went to New York to study under Sid Cooper. After returning home from New York, he joined the U. S. Navy and performed until his discharge from the Navy. He was hired by the Johnny Long Band and traveled with that group for two years when he decided to use the GI Bill to get his education. It was during this time that he received a telephone call from the manager of the Glen Miller band to come to Washington, DC to audition. He rode the train to Washington, auditioned, and consequently was hired on the spot and the next five years he traveled with the band to every major city in the U.S., including twice to Japan. Bruce graduated from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, with a degree in Music, by taking correspondence courses while on the road with the Glen Miller Band and was also a proud member of the Smoot House Band for 25 years. Bruce was a member of the show band at Paradise Island, Bahamas, and later moved to Miami, FL where he performed at numerous clubs. He returned to his hometown of Marietta and began working at Coffman Music, as well as playing engagements with his band. It was at the time that he met and married his wife Phyllis. They were married 28 years and lived in Vienna, WV. Surviving Bruce are his wife, Phyllis of Vienna; stepsons, Joseph Bobier (Angela) of Walker, WV, and Jeffrey Bobier (Dianna) of Denver, NC; five step-grandchildren, Belinda Richards of Vienna, Daniel Bobier of the U. S. Navy, Andrew Bobier of Lowell, OH, Timothy Bobier of the U. S. Army and Katie Schwendeman of Auburn, Georgia; three step-great-grandchildren; James Bobier, Chace Richards and Sarah Schwendeman; his mother-in-law, Sara Riggs; his cousin, Sara Lewis of Little Hocking, OH; and his two beloved chihuahaus, Bonnie and Mini Pearl. He is also survived by his cousins, Sara Lewis, Mike and Mary Lewis, Stephanie Spencer, Bobbie Lewis, Bobbie Jo Holdren, Robbie Alloway and their children. He was loved and admired by his friends and family for his vast knowledge of music theory, his love of jazz, his incredible talent, his kindness of heart and his wonderful sense of humor. He was a gifted and talented musician and will be missed very much by all. There will be a memorial service in honor of Bruce at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, October 15 ,2016, at Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home,3005 Grand Central Ave. Vienna, with Reverend Randall Fusion officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday from 1:00 P.M. until the time of the service at 2:00. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Humane Society, or any charity of your choice.