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Ernest Hebson, former Fort Walton Beach High School Band Director, has passed away

On the afternoon of Wednesday, September 13, 2023, Ernest Hebson, former band director at Fort Walton Beach High School, passed away. Mr. Hebson started the band program at Fort Walton Beach High School when the school was built in 1969 with grades 7-10. When the school became 7-12, grades 7-9 moved to the newly built […]

Ernest Hebson, an absolute legend at Fort Walton Beach High School and across Okaloosa County.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, September 13, 2023, Ernest Hebson, former band director at Fort Walton Beach High School, passed away.

Mr. Hebson started the band program at Fort Walton Beach High School when the school was built in 1969 with grades 7-10.

When the school became 7-12, grades 7-9 moved to the newly built Max Bruner JR. High. The symphonic, jazz and marching bands have never received less than a superior rating at FBA district assessments and were consistently rated superior at FBA state events.

Mr. Hebson retired in 1999 and continued to work as an adjudicator of instrumental music assessments and taught several students privately.

  • In 2004, was inducted into the Florida Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame.

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“The Big U! The NMU supplied the unlicensed crew and when we lost this ship and its jobs and when U.S. Lines went bankrupt, we were on our way to...”
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“Highschool is finna be more crowed now. We need another highschool not a middle or elementary school.”
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“This is bittersweet. I spent a wonderful week in Cay Sal Banks on the Pilot in 2006. I will have to go pay her a visit soon....”
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“I agree with Jerome. What will this accomplish since both ends are only 4 lanes?”
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“The parking lot at McGuires would disappear along with the parcel that Destin purchased at the bridge.. Flooding on Okaloosa Island would close an expensive update to 98 , at...”
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“This will not make a difference for traffic passing through the center of Destin along Rt. 98. The smart option is to complete the Brooks Bridge and intersection in Ft...”
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“Doesn’t it still end up with 4 lanes on either end after bridges? Seems more aesthetic than a traffic plan. Which is nice too but does it increase the function?”
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“It would be a money pit let’s sink it for the tourists who we don’t have enough of so more will come”
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“Traffic moves pretty well on that stretch of 98, I don't see the need to waste the money. Maybe do something to deal with the traffic in Destin, and Mary...”
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