W J Julian, a native Tennessean, received his B.S. degree from Tennessee Tech. He immediately joined the U.S. Navy where he served for three years in the Pacific Theatre. His ship (LSM 318) was sunk by a Kamikaze plane in the Philippines on December 7, 1944. After the war, he entered Northwestern University and earned the B.M., M.M., and PhD Degrees. He was Director of Bands at Tennessee Tech for ten years then moved to the University of Tennessee where he served as Director of Bands for 33 years.
W J Julian is Past President of TMEA (Tennessee), Past President of the National Band Association, Past President of the College Band Directors National Association and Past President of the American Bandmasters Association. In 1992, he was elected a fellow in the Academy of Winds & Percussive Arts, and in 1994 was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame. He has served as adjudicator, clinician and conductor throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, Europe and Japan.