Abilene Christian University professor emeritus of music Dr. Silas Edwin “Ed” George (’61), died March 25, 2026, in Schertz, Texas, at age 89.
A Celebration of Life is planned for May 24 from 2-4 p.m. in the Williams Performing Arts Center at ACU.
He was born Sept. 22, 1936, in Fort Stockton, Texas, and briefly attended Cisco College before earning a B.S.Ed. degree in music (1961) and a M.Ed. in school administration (1963) from ACU and a doctorate in music education (1983) from the University of North Texas. He wed classmate and fellow ACU band member Kathryn Matthews (’62) on Sept. 5, 1960.
George was a band director in Texas public schools, including De Leon and Abilene ISDs, for eight years (1961-69) before starting a 32-year career on the ACU faculty to teach music history, theory, orchestration and music education. He played multiple instruments and taught at Abilene Christian from 1969-2001, serving as professor and chair (1990-96) in the Department of Music and initially directing the Jazz Ensemble.
For much of the late 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s, he directed The Hilltoppers – also known as the Hilltop Singers – a talented group of students who performed pop-rock and contemporary music shows and toured overseas in 1968, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1979 and 1981 for the USO (United Service Organization) and the U.S. Department of Defense, entertaining troops deployed across Europe; the Caribbean, Pacific and Mediterranean islands; and in the Far East. Hilltoppers included future recording artists and producers such as Grammy Award winners Dr. Brown Bannister (’75) and Ronnie Dunn (’76), Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame member Michael Blanton (’73) and Grand Ole Opry member Holly Dunn (’79).
George conducted the orchestra at ACU Homecoming musicals for 21 years (1969-83), and composed music for the 1981 inauguration of Dr. William J. Teague (’52), the university’s ninth president, and for Abilene 1906, ACU’s Centennial musical in 2005.
For nearly five decades, George prepared music for ACU students to perform at Sing Song, especially for several fraternities and sororities, and most notably for Sigma Theta Chi, which won the women’s division six straight years and eight of nine years from 2002-10, all with George as their arranger.
He was frequently a guest conductor following retirement in 2001, especially with the Abilene Philharmonic, while also writing music for orchestras in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He was involved with the annual West Texas Rehabilitation Center Telethon since its beginning, conducting its orchestra for nearly 20 of its first 46 years (1971-2016), and either performing or coordinating music for the telecast.
George’s career included writing arrangements for the San Diego Symphony and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, and performing with Bob Hope, Eddy Arnold, Andy Williams, Tony Bennett and Glen Campbell, among many others.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Olan George Sr. and Lula Florence George; a brother, Olan George Jr.; a sister, Dolores Crocker George; and Kathy, his wife of 64 years. Among survivors are children Melinda (George ’84) Hancock, Glenna (George ’86) Miranda and Gregory George (’90); 10 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; a brother, Lee Roy George; and sister Gwen George Wilbanks.
– Ron Hadfield
April 15, 2026