Former Madison residents honor late son’s memory

Former Madison resident Lloyd Etheredge loved music and was studying to earn a music degree at Troy State University with the hopes of one day scoring music for films.

“Lloyd played the trumpet at Madison Middle School and won the trumpet award two years in a row,” said Crystal Etheredge, Lloyd’s mother. “He loved music, but he had always wanted to make music for films.”

Earlier this year, Etheredge’s dreams ended when he died in an accident while climbing a tower on the Troy State University campus in Alabama. 

His family created the William Lloyd Etheredge Memorial Scholarship to honor Lloyd’s legacy, intended for students majoring in the film industry with similar goals to Lloyd’s.

The Etheredges lived in Madison from 2005 to 2015 when Lloyd’s father, Tod Etheredge, was named executive vice president at Trustmark National Bank’s Montgomery Main office in Montgomery, Alabama. The family, including Lloyd and his brothers Tod Etheredge II and Christian Joseph Joey Etheredge, moved to Pike Road, Alabama.

Lisa Wilson of Madison was a neighbor of the Etheredges for six years and said she believes the William Lloyd Memorial Scholarship is a great way to honor Lloyd’s spirit. 

“Lloyd was always the kid who would help other kids who didn’t ask for the help,” Wilson said. “He was very kind-spirited and made friends with everyone. He was always excited to talk about whatever he covered in school and didn’t take his work for granted. His entire family was wonderful as well. They were the perfect neighbors and made me feel so welcome here.”

Lloyd’s former Madison Middle School teacher Terry Miller remembers Etheredge as a talented musician and a dedicated student.

“I taught Lloyd band at Madison Middle School when he was in sixth and seventh grade, and I remember him as artistic and a very hard worker,” said Miller, who is now the associate director of bands at Holmes Community College in Ridgeland. 

Miller said Lloyd strived to make his parents and teachers proud.

“I remember his music talent budding when I taught him,” Miller said. “He was dedicated to his music and playing the trumpet. The thing that stands out most is his work ethic, which is something a lot of middle schoolers don’t have. It reminded me of myself since I was very driven as a student.” 

Crystal Etheredge said she and her family loved Madison, and they have many memories of the city and brag about it all the time. 

“Lloyd went to Madison Avenue and Madison Middle before we moved to Alabama,” Crystal Etheredge said. “We lived in the Sherbourne Subdivision. He played Rec League Soccer in Madison for many years. We were all upset when we had to move.” 

Etheredge said her son’s biggest goal was to create music scores for movies. 

“This scholarship is for people who want to accomplish the goals that Lloyd was not able to achieve — the music industry,” Etheredge said. “We felt it would be the perfect way to honor his memory, and we know it would make him smile. We also set up a fund for him at St. Jude, which was the charity of his choice. He would tell us that if he got rich, that’s the charity he would give to. We hope to get that fully endowed and watch it grow for the rest of my life.” 

Meredith Welch, director of annual giving and special projects at Troy University, said the scholarship is for any student at Troy University majoring in music. 

Welch said to qualify for the scholarship, students must maintain a GPA of 2.8 or higher and major in the music industry. 

To donate to the William Lloyd Etheredge Memorial Scholarship, visit donate.troy.edu/etheredge-scholarship. Questions about Foundation activities may be directed to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Development at 334-670-3608.