Bill Sullivan 1940-2007

September 29th, 2007

The world of custom banjo building lost an innovator, entrepreneur, spiritual figurehead and friend on September 23 when Bill Sullivan, founder of First Quality Musical Supply in Louisville, Ky., died unexpectedly of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 67. He died surrounded by his family. He was profiled in the Fall 2007 issue of Fretboard Journal for his work on the innovative Old Floor Rims banjo rim company.

Much like the tragic death of Gibson mandolin master builder Charlie Derrington did a year ago within the tight-knit mandolin community, Sullivan’s untimely passing just days before the start of the annual convention of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), has shocked and sadden virtually everyone with more than a passing interest in the five-string bluegrass banjo. On the popular Banjo Hangout internet forum, tributes, memorials, poems, anecdotes of personal dealings with Sullivan and expressions of grief and sorrow from players, enthusiasts, fellow banjo builders and past customers filled more than 18 pages within a day of the news breaking. As an entrepreneur, he and his family supplied necks, rims and other banjo parts to major manufacturers and created a small parts order business that quickly grew into one of the most respected musical dealers in the country (www.fqms.com).

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Anne Sullivan; his children, Tracy Prewitt, Jeff Sullivan and Eric Sullivan; his grandchildren, Tory, Gabe, Andy, Courtney, Josh, Tyler, Ashley and Matthew; his niece and nephew who were like grandchildren to him, Kylie and Parker; his brothers, John Smith, Phillip Smith, and Billy Sullivan; his sisters, Annie Kretchman, Cathy Duncan and Janie Thornton (Don); and his stepmother, Frances Sullivan.

“It is such an honor to post on (the Banjo Hangout) to let all the readers know how special my Dad was. First of all he loved his friends in the banjo community. For nearly 40 years he has lived and breathed banjos. He would come to work every day to try to make a difference. He had so much passion for great products, great service and always being there to lend a hand to whom ever needed it. I have read each and every one of your threads and agree how he has touched your lives over so many years. On a person note I can also say what an honor and privilege it has been to work along side my Dad for the last 20 years, every since I was young boy, even before I came into the business he instilled in me the ethics of treating folks right and always giving your best.

“For those of you who posted on thread not knowing he was sick, he was not. He was sharp a tack and was so much looking forward to seeing all his friends at this years IBMA. He was working weekends leading up to this event with so much excitement to show and introduce the new line of Sullivan Banjos and the new breakthroughs that he and Eric have been working on over the last two years,” son Jeff Sullivan reported to the members of the popular internet banjo forum.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Crusade for Children through the Pleasure Ridge Park Volunteer Fire Department, Station 3, 8506 Terry Road, Louisville, KY 40258

- David McCarty

Entry Filed under: Banjo, FJ Issue 7