Music Wall of Fame

Billy Orton (BME, 1976, WKU; and MCM, 1978, from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) was born in Madisonville, KY and grew up in Greenville, KY, where he was Valedictorian, chosen for the first WKU Junior Scholars Program, and selected as one of two HS students from Kentucky to participate in the McDonald’s All American Band.   He graduated Summa Cum Laude from WKU with the highest honor (recipient of The Ogden Award for top academic achievement).

He served as minister of music and worship in four states (NC, KY, VA and AL).  His ministry in all four churches was characterized by excellence, growth and diversity.  His 44-year career consistently exhibited creativity in programming of worship and concert repertoire.  During his years at First Baptist Church, Bowling Green (1983-88), Billy was elected President of the Kentucky Baptist Music Association.  During his years at Columbia Baptist, Falls Church, VA (1988-98), he was elected as national Vice-President of the Southern Baptist Church Music Conference and also founded the Columbia Institute of Fine Arts.  Music groups under his direction have recorded professionally, premiered new works, and been featured at numerous statewide and national conferences.

Billy retired in 2022 after 24 years at First Baptist, Huntsville, AL, where his leadership of the Spring/Easter concerts and signature presentations such as The Living Christmas Tree and Bluegrass and Stained Glass regularly drew thousands in attendance.  He also served at Artistic Director of the Huntsville Community Chorus Association (2002-18), as founder of the HCC Chamber Chorale, charter member of The Brass Band of Huntsville and as Chorus Master for the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. 

Billy has always been active in the community, performing in the brass section for bands, orchestras, local productions and various chamber/large group presentations, assisting music educators as clinician and substitute teacher, and serving as friend and counselor to those outside the church.  He has conducted numerous major choral/orchestral works with a characteristic passion for excellence and love for the performers.

His wife, Jane Owens Orton, is also a graduate of WKU and a highly respected professional in the field of mental health.   They have two children and four grandchildren.