William Eugene Hudson, 89, Jacksonville, Florida passed on July 10, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Eugene was born August 19, 1931 in Black Mountain, North Carolina to Clyde Weldon Hudson and Marjorie Quinn Hudson. His gift for music and the piano in particular saw him serve at an early age as church organist and pianist, including at an early Billy Graham revival. In addition to old time gospel music he played in local bluegrass bands, including the Mount Mitchell Ramblers who won the North Carolina state bluegrass competition. But mainly his love of classical music drove him to study and pursue a teaching career in piano. He studied piano at Mars Hill College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1951-1954), and Hunter College of the City University of New York (1963 BA). He stayed in New York to pursue graduate study at the famous Julliard School of Music (1965 MFA).

Eugene was passionate about teaching music and piano, and held several university lectureships, including at the University of Indiana (Bloomington), University of Wisconsin (Eau Claire), and Wartburg College (Iowa). In 1978 he started a distinguished teaching career at Jacksonville University, where he taught piano to many talented students until his first retirement in 2006. In addition to a university career, Eugene served as organist at Unity Church in Riverside (1982-1992) and at the U.S. Navy Base in Mayport for twenty-two years, until his second retirement in 2014.

Eugene is survived by four loving children, Mary Heidi, Eugene Stuart, Paul Franklin, and Sarah Louise, and his wife of sixty years, Mary Louise, and four grandchildren (Steven, David, Ethan, and Marie-Louise). He is preceded in death by his brother, Jack Hudson.

Eugene was always enthusiastic, positive, and had a great sense of humor. In addition to his passion for piano, he loved surf fishing at sunrise in Ponte Vedra. We miss him dearly, but are happy knowing he's in heaven... eating his favorite key lime pie, drinking lots of coffee, and playing piano for angels.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Community Hospice (904) 886-3883

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