Obituary of Timothy H. Waugh

Timothy H. Waugh, 69, of Princeton, West Virginia, passed from this life into life eternal on Thursday, February 8, 2024. The only child of Harper E. Waugh and Mary Louise Crotty Waugh, Tim was preceded in death by his parents.

An internationally acclaimed conductor, composer, and performance arts educator, Tim was a beloved figure in many performance mediums, including handbell, choral, church music, and musical theatre. Throughout his career, his passion for music and education inspired countless musicians, and he was a tireless champion for performance arts in the church, classroom, and community.

His continued work as a guest conductor and clinician for choral and handbell festivals followed a 33-year career in public school music education. He proudly called his choir and handbell students “my kids,” and they remained his kids for the rest of his life. Tim served many churches throughout Southern West Virginia and North Carolina from the time he was a youth, playing organ for church services at the early age of 12. At the time of his death, he was employed as the Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church, Salisbury NC, where he was embraced by staff and congregation, adults and children alike.

In 2011, Tim founded Charlotte Bronze Handbell Ensemble, a professional community ensemble based in Charlotte, NC, and served as the group’s beloved conductor and artistic director until his passing.

A kidney transplant recipient as a result of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), Tim was a determined advocate for organ donation. The kidney Tim received from a selfless live donor allowed his multitude of friends to continue enjoying his talent, teaching, wit, and delightfully quirky humor for 18 years longer than they otherwise would have had.

A service to celebrate Tim’s life will take place at First Presbyterian Church, 308 W Fisher Street, Salisbury, NC on Saturday, April 20, 2024. An extended musical prelude will begin at approximately 10:30am ET, and the service will begin at 11:00am.

The service will be live-streamed on the church’s YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@FPCSalisburyNC. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial gift to one of the following organizations:

§ Charlotte Bronze Handbell Ensemble (https://charlottebronze.org/support/)

§ PKD Foundation (https://pkdcure.org/give/)

§ PikeView High School (3566 Eads Mill Rd, Princeton WV 24740 – signify “Choral department”)

§ First Presbyterian Church, Salisbury (308 W Fisher Street, Salisbury, NC 28144, https://www.salisburyfirstpres.org/ - signify “Music program – Tim Waugh memorial”)

Online condolences and memories may be expressed at www.HankinsandWhittington.com.

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