Obituary

Ziegler, Paul

Paul Ziegler, 85, of Plainview, passed away on Saturday, April 8, 2017.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2017 the Lemons Memorial Chapel. There will be a small reception held directly after the service at the Funeral Home.

Born in Johannesburg, Germany, near Frankfurt, to Emil and Elizabeth (Eijke) Ziegler; he studied at the Weisbaden Conservatory of Music. That institution was destroyed during World War II. While in Germany, he was honored to perform for Barons, Royalty and Dignitaries.

Ziegler came to America in late 1945. He spoke little English when he emigrated from Germany and moved to Plainview in 1951. He played the accordion and keyboard -- he began learning the accordion at age 10 and played professionally around the Lubbock area.

In 1951, he met a piano tuner who told him Mary L. Spence Music in Plainview needed teachers. He came to work for her and the couple eventually married. She passed away in 1961.

Mr. Ziegler owned one of Plainview?s oldest businesses with a 70-year history of providing musical instruments and music lessons here. In 2004, he sadly closed the doors to Ziegler Music Co., which was started in 1934 as Mary L. Spence Music Co.

In addition to teaching music -- he had several professional certifications -- he also played in various musical programs and civic functions. He and pianist Benny Martin teamed up for several years and he also played in an accordion band. His daughter loves to tell of how her father was an excellent dancer as well as musician.

He was a major contributor to so many people in this community. He touched many lives because of the time he spent instructing his students on the importance of discipline. His lessons were something that they carried on into adulthood.
He married Carolyn Walsh in 1966 and they were married for 40 years before her death in 2004. He believed that music was life changing. He loved his children and his grandchildren beyond belief.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Mary Spence; second wife, Carolyn Walsh; his son-in-law, Tony McKinney and two sisters, Irmgard Chrome and Charlotte Houchin.

Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Karl Ziegler; two daughters, Lillie McKinney of Azle and Katie Johnston and husband Ray of Plainview and six grandchildren, Edward, Matthew, John, Justin, Ashley and Chelsea.

Online condolences may be made at www.lemonsfunerals.com