William Hagan

William Sherman (“Andy”) Hagan, 77, died Dec. 20, 2017, while in hospice care at NHC Healthcare, after an extended illness. Born in Cleveland, Tenn., he was the son of William Sherman Hagan Sr. and Iris Andrews Hagan. An accomplished musician, his career as a professional trumpet player began with the first notes noodled on a band member friend’s trumpet at Brainerd Junior High School. By 15, he had joined the musicians’ union, and his first professional gig was playing in the Carl Scheibe Orchestra at the American Legion Club, for $11 a night. A 1958 graduate of City High School on 3rd St, he attended Tennessee Tech and UTC. He traveled the world with many of the Big Bands-- the Harry James, Glenn Miller, and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras, to name a few, and with productions of musicals like “Chicago” and “Phantom of the Opera”. A frequent venue was the Fox Theatre in Atlanta; and he was a member of the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, at one time. He also often played in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Branson. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Susanne; daughters Mary Anne (Paul) Jones, Madeline (Robert) Belcher, of Chattanooga, and Amanda Morgan, of Marietta, Ga.; granddaughters, Rachel and Abby Swanger, Olivia Morgan, Katie Belcher, and Elizabeth Jones; grandsons, Bill Morgan and Andrew Belcher; great-granddaughter, Collette Evans; sister, Patricia (Jim) Sanders; and several cousins. Andy was a member of Brainerd Baptist Church and its orchestra. A celebration of life service will be held there in the coming New Year.