Remembering Will Howard

I first met Will Howard in 2018 as a function of my duties as the manager of MCTV, Talbot County’s public access television station.  Will wanted to film another episode of his long-running video program MAN ABOUT TOWN.  Will was a lovely man and I had a wonderful experience filming his program, but at the time I wasn’t aware of his history with the Avalon.

As I combed the digital archives of the Avalon for various projects, Will would pop up again and again, but it wasn’t until I put together a short documentary on the HISTORY OF THE BUILDING that I was able to better understand his connection to this place.

Will Howard was instrumental in making the Avalon Theatre what it is today.  In 1987, Howard joined with Richard Edgar, Hank Duncan, and Mayor George P. Murphy, creating a public/private partnership that would go on to renovate the defunct theater.  For Howard’s part, he opened “the Trio at the Avalon”, a collection of restaurants all located in the historic building.

It is perhaps no surprise that Will Howard was so personally invested in reviving the old theatre.  His father, Charles Howard, was “sent from upstate New York to manage the Avalon in 1937.”  According to a 1990 Maryland Magazine article, “What kept young Howard in town was a local music teacher and concert pianist named Cecile, whom he met through his work at the Avalon.  In the best movieland tradition, he fell in love with Cecile, married her, and stayed in Easton for the rest of his life.”

The Avalon Theatre brought Charles Howard to Easton.  The Avalon Theatre brought Charles and Cecile together.  Will Howard’s story weaves through the history of this institution.

Will Howard passed away on Saturday, September 13th, 2025.  His obituary shared that “Will hosted and produced 40 video programs for Avalon Foundation's MCTV – they can still be viewed online at ThatManAboutTown.com.”

The last time that I saw Will Howard, he was attending a party we threw in 2022 to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the theatre.  I like picturing Will in my memory the way I saw him that night, surrounded by so many other people that also poured their sweat and love into making the Avalon what it is today.  For a building that has told so many stories through film and theatrical performances, it seems a fitting scene.  The Avalon has such a long and winding legacy, and it would not be what it is today without the contributions of Will Howard and his family.  The Avalon Foundation will continue the stewardship of this historical building that Will played such a pivotal role in.