A band director, Bissell spent 24 years at the University of Washington leading the Washington Husky Marching Band. “A lot of the home-field advantage we enjoyed at Husky Stadium was attributable to the crowd spirit Bill was able to build through the band,” said Husky head coach Jim Lambright.
The band’s gags were legendary, such as when the new uniforms arrived. As the band played “The Stripper”, the members changed from the old uniforms to the new — right on the field. The radio announcer calling the game was so astounded that “There was about a minute-and-a-half of dead air while he watched the band taking off its clothes,” remembers assistant band director Don Sabo.
But Bissell’s biggest impact went beyond the Husky’s field: in 1981, he and Husky yell leader Robb Weller created the “Wave”, the visual fan cheer that spreads around the stadium — and spread all over the country and the world. Bissell died December 20 from unknown causes. He was 70.