Michael D. Williford passed away January 13, 2025, following complications from ALS. He was 74 years old. As he did throughout his life, Michael continued to share his love of music with all who would listen and offering unwavering support to his friends and family until the very end, leaving behind a legacy of harmony and hope.    Michael was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on September 19, 1950. He was a graduate of Woodlawn High School in Shreveport and later attended Northwestern State University of Louisiana, where he earned a B.A. and M.A. in Music Education, and The University of Iowa, where he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts. Michael believed that all talents are God given.  He served as pianist at Sunset Acres Baptist Church (now Springs of Grace) in Shreveport and was the accompanist for his youth choir for four years in his teens.  He also served as the pianist for the First Baptist Church of Westernport, Maryland for three years. Michael’s music teaching career began at Potomac State College of West Virginia University, and continued at Cornell College of Iowa, Centenary College of Louisiana, The University of Minnesota-Duluth, and one year at C.E. Byrd High School in Shreveport. He was a clarinetist in the Northwestern-Natchitoches Symphony, a clarinetist with The NSU Wind Ensemble, The University of Iowa Symphony and was the Second clarinetist and bass clarinetist with The Shreveport Symphony, The Longview Texas Symphony, The Duluth-Superior Symphony, and The Irving-Garland Texas Symphony.  In 1995 Michael decided to change his career and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas at Arlington. He had a highly successful career as an ICU RN, specializing in post-operative cardio thoracic surgery care for 24 years. He served as a staff nurse and a charge nurse at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas and at Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake in Dallas. Michael received notable recognition in 2003 as the Dallas County Nurse of the Year.   Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur F. Williford and Margie Pruett Williford, his paternal grandparents Norman D. And Osie R. Williford, his maternal grandparents S.H. and Euna Pruett, Uncle Donald Williford, Uncle Gerald Q. Pruett, Aunt Mattie Pruett, Step Aunt Vicky Pruett, and Aunt Barbara Pruett. He is survived by his Uncle Johnie James Pruett, first cousins Dr. Stephen Pruett, Annette Youngblood, Melody Strother, Stacy Shannon, second cousins Dr. Brandon Scott Pruett and his wife Dena, Stephanie Pruett and her husband Matthew Eubanks, and third cousins Henry and James Pruett.   Michael is also survived by Mr. Bruce G. Wiggs, his best friend and partner for over 14 years, sharing their care during illnesses or post-op surgeries, experiencing great cooking, attending Dallas Symphony Concerts and enjoying drama-filled sports such as college football, basketball, Dallas Cowboys games, and especially the four Grand Slam pro tennis tournaments. Bruce demonstrated his love and affection by being by Michael’s side as his caregiver until the end of his battle with ALS.   Michael wanted to express his gratitude for the beautiful friendships he was honored to have in his life, including Bruce’s Colorado family: his sister, Lesleigh Monahan, her husband Tim Monahan, their daughter Alison Monahan, and his brothers Jeff and Paul Wiggs, as well as an enduring friendship with Dana and Ginny Westlund of Wilbraham, Massachusetts.   Graveside services for Michael will be held on (date) at (time) at Centuries Memorial Cemetery in Shreveport, Louisiana. Dr. Brandon Scott Pruett will lead the service.    Michael and his family would like to thank the staff from the Freedom Hospice and Palliative Care in the Skilled Nursing Unit at the Ventana by Buckner Retirement Community in Dallas, Texas, for their kind attention and care. Michael wished for any contributions in his memory to be made to the ALS Association (als.org/donate) or the church or charity of your choosing. Services for Michael will be on March 23, 2025 @ 2:00 pm at Centuries Memorial Cemetery in Shreveport.