Wyeth Read

Wyeth Alexander Read, 93, of Williston passed away April 30, 2015. He was born September 20, 1921 to the late Dr. William Alexander Read and Blanche Annie Gathings Read in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He graduated from University High School there and attended LSU before enlisting in the Navy in 1944. Wyeth was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned to LSU, completing a Bachelors Degree in Industrial Arts. In 1949 he married Mary Lucy Gray and in 1950 they moved to Miami, Florida where he taught at Lindsey Hopkins Technical High until 1956. In 1956, the family moved to Gainesville where Mr. Read completed his M. Ed. in Administration at the University of Florida. Following that Wyeth taught Industrial Arts at Clearlake and Kennedy Junior High Schools in Rockledge, Florida. In 1966 he accepted the position of principal at Cedar Key School which he held for 4 years before moving to the Levy County System where he served for 20 years as Assistant Superintendent in charge of Personnel and Instruction. He also served as chief negotiator for the School Board in Labor discussions with the teachers union. From the age of 7 Wyeth played the violin, first studying with Louis Ferraro of the LSU Music faculty. Mr. Read was an accomplished violinist, playing in orchestras in Miami, Brevard County, Gainesville and Ocala frequently serving as concert master. Wyeth enjoyed working on cars from a young age and in retirement completely restored his 1962 Mercury Meteor which he happily passed on to his grandson Clark, also an avid mechanic. From his youth in Louisiana and throughout his life he enjoyed fishing and being on the water. In Miami he frequently fished or snorkeled with his brother Tom on the family boat the wooden Sea Dragon. He also built a boat, the First Fiddle, while in Rockledge and was often found on Lake Poinsett with his friend Ed Patrick. In Cedar Key many happy memories were made fishing for grouper or scalloping with his children and friends. Mr. Read always considered his move to Cedar Key his best professional decision and often reminisced about his years there. Wyeth was a member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Williston and served on the Mission Board and as Junior Warden several times. He often played his violin for special church services, accompanied by his wife on the organ. Mr. Read is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary, his brother Tom (Margaret) of Lake Pierce, sister Winston George of West Palm Beach, his children Helen McGary of Montana and Bill Read of Louisiana, 5 grandchildren Clark McGary (Meghan) of Oregon, Anna McGary of Tennessee, Katie Read of New York, William Read of Louisiana, and Sarah Read of Louisiana and 2 great grandchildren Emily and Logan McGary. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews Funeral services will be held at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Thursday, May 7, at 2 pm with visitation at the church at 1 pm. Burial will be at Orange Hill Cemetery following the service. Flowers will be appreciated or remembrances may be sent to the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch, P. O. Box 2000, Boys Ranch, FL 32064. Arrangements are under the direction of Knauff Funeral Home, 512 E Noble Ave, Williston, FL, 32696 (352)528-3481.