Read Bill "Billy" Lee Scott's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Bill "Billy" Lee Scott

Palm Beach Gardens, FL , USA

June 3, 1927 - June 9, 2021

Jun 3, 1927 - Jun 9, 2021

Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Photo

Billy (Wilfred) Lee Scott, 94, was welcomed into heaven on June 9, 2021. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Helen Bremer Scott. He is survived by his children; Jerry (Sharon) Scott; Linda (Bob) Franke; Lori (John) Jahn; grandchildren; Adam Scott and Lily Jahn.
Bill was born in Francesville, Indiana. His lifelong love of show business started early. After winning many childhood talent contests playing guitar and singing, he became a professional entertainer at the age of fifteen. On summer break from high school, he joined the staff of radio station WDZ in Tuscola, Illinois, as a disc jockey. Following graduation from high school, he enlisted in the US Navel Reserve. After serving in the Navy, he returned to the radio/entertainment field.
In 1948 he joined WRFD Radio Station, Columbus, Ohio, as singer, guitarist and master-of-ceremonies with the Melody Rangers band. The female vocalist for the band was Helen Bremer, who yodeled, sang and toured with the Grand Old Opry using the stage name: Helen Harris. They were married in 1950. Bill became a television pioneer on October 3rd, 1949, when he joined Columbus, Ohio's first TV station as part of the "Meetin' Time" program. The program aired Monday through Friday and ran for eight years.
In the fall of 1957 Bill and his wife joined a Saturday night TV variety show that originated from Cincinnati, Ohio. For the next twelve years, Helen and Billy Scott were the "sweethearts" of the Midwestern Hayride; singing, playing guitar, and making people laugh with their comedy routine of old "Dad Marburn" and his dour faced daughter "Velma." Bill's recitation of "The Deck of Cards" was a fan favorite.
In 1969, they joined the Capitol Music Hall Jamboree Show, a weekly radio/stage show based in Wheeling West Virginia.
In addition to his television and radio shows, Bill was Administrator of a Retirement/Nursing Home in Columbus, Ohio, from 1964 to 1975. The Scotts moved to Florida in 1985 and continued to entertain at Mobile Home Parks, festivals and Retirement Communities. Helen retired from show business in 2005, and Bill continued to accept a limited number of appearances.
Bill was a member of St Paul United Methodist Church, Largo, Florida. He and Helen were Coordinators of the Senior Ministry at the church. Bill was also an Associate Lay Leader of the Church; a member of the Administrative Counsel; active with the Stephen Ministry, Ushering Ministry and Hospital Visitation Ministry. Bill moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida in 2018, to be near his daughters.
A celebration of Bill's life will be held at a later date.

Order a beautiful PDF you can print and save or share.

Get the PDF

Get notified when new photos, stories and other important updates are shared.