William Platt

William (Bill) H. Platt, 77, of Cincinnati, Ohio passed away peacefully on the morning of September 5th surrounded by his loved ones after a difficult battle with lung disease. Bill was born on November 10, 1944, in Cincinnati and was a graduate of Milford High School. At the age of 4, he became enamored with the sound of marching band drums. This led to a lifelong dedication to the mastery of an endless array of percussive instruments. Bill went on to study percussion at the prestigious Eastman School of Music, graduating in 1966. After being drafted that same year, he won a position in the United States Army Band. For 3 years, Bill performed with his Army bandmates at innumerable White House and Washington events. He became part of a lifelong brotherhood of fellow musicians in that brief but formative period. Following his honorable discharge in 1969, Bill returned to Cincinnati to continue his music studies at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. While there, he met Kazuko Tsuneda, a fellow CCM student, and they married in 1971. They went on to have 2 children, Kevin, and Julie, and continued to be a devoted couple for 51 years. Also in 1971, Bill began his distinguished career as principal percussionist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. His tenure spanned nearly 40 years and produced over 100 fantastic recordings including multiple snare drum showcases such as his performance of Bolero. In addition to regular performances at Music Hall, the CSO and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra took him to some of the greatest halls in the world from Suntory Hall in Japan to Carnegie Hall in New York. After retiring in 2010, Bill continued to teach percussion, maintain his impressive collection of instruments, play golf, and spend time with his 4 grandchildren. Bill was predeceased by his parents William and Irene. He is survived by his wife, Kazuko, his two children, Kevin and Julie, his daughter in law, Hiromi, his son in law, Tony, his mother-in-law  Michiko, his sister-in-law, Sachiko, and his four grandchildren, Isabel, Ryoma, Alex, and Lilia. The family will receive friends at Evans Funeral Home – Milford 741 Center Street Milford, Ohio 45150 Monday September 12, 2022, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Funeral service will be at the Funeral Home Tuesday September 13, 2022, at 10:00 AM. Burial to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. If so desired, memorials may be made to American Lung Association – Cincinnati 700 Wessel Dr. #181473, Fairfield, Ohio 45018.