East Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Dr. Willie H. Ruff, III

City of Florence Walk of Honor

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, March 26, 2023

1. Dr. Willie H. Ruff, III Marker

Inscription. In 1947, Dr. Willie H. ruff, III was selected for the All-Black 766th Air Force Band, playing at every Air Force Base in the U.S. As Professor of Music at Yale University, 1971-2017, his teaching inspired students from across the globe. Inducted 2022 City of Florence Walk of Honor

Erected 2022.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 2022.

Location. 34° 48.409′ N, 87° 37.879′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. It is in East Florence. It is on Hightower Place. Beginning with marker one, this marker is on pole 3 left side. It is one of 18 poles each has four sides that is located behind the Marriott Hotel in River Heritage Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 Hightower Pl, Florence AL 35630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama

and in the Shoals.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Robert Hue ("Bobby") Wallace (here, next to this marker); Oscar Stanton DePriest (here, next to this marker); Ellen Dorrit Hoffleit (here, next to this marker); General Hugh Pate Harris (here, next to this marker); Ronnie Gene Flippo (here, next to this marker); Henry S. "Hank" Klibanoff

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(here, next to this marker); John Thomas Bulls, Jr (here, next to this marker); Kelton D. (Kelso) Herston (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Also see . . . . Willie Ruff

DR. WILLIE RUFF, THE RECENTLY RETIRED YALE SCHOOL OF MUSIC PROFESSOR and founder of the Duke Ellington Fellowship at Yale, is a musician, writer and educator of wide-ranging interests and influences. Ruff was born and raised in Sheffield, Alabama, a city across the river from Florence, Alabama, the birthplace of W. C. Handy, the “father of the blues.” As a six-year-old second grader, Ruff met Handy and was excited to shake his hand, many years later he became one of the founders of the W. C. Handy Music Festival in Florence, Alabama.

(Submitted on March 26, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, May 29, 2025

2. Dr. Willie H. Ruff, III Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 9 times this year. Last updated on March 31, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. Photos: 1. submitted on March 26, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2. submitted on May 30, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.