William Lewis: key obituary facts
Is William Lewis dead? Yes. William Lewis died on August 21, 2026, at age 94.
Cause of death: William Lewis's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was William Lewis known for?
He was an American operatic tenor and academic.
More about William Lewis
Born: 23 November 1931.
Place of birth: Tulsa.
Gender: male.
Occupation: opera singer.
Nationality: United States.
Education: New York University, Texas Christian University, University of Colorado.
Also known as: William L. Lewis.
William Lewis, an American tenor and academic, died on August 21, 2026, aged 94.
Born in Tulsa on November 23, 1931, he studied at the University of Colorado, Texas Christian University and New York University before turning from work as a writer and athlete to opera. He trained with Karl Kritz and Arthur Faguy Coté in Fort Worth, then with Susan Seton and Hulda and Luigi Rossini in New York.
Lewis sang a wide repertory from Mozart to Wagner, with particular association with 20th-century operas; at the Metropolitan Opera he appeared as Andres and the Drum Major in Wozzeck, Aegisth in Elektra, Steva in Jenůfa, Alwa in Lulu, Oedipus in Oedipus Rex and Red Whiskers in Billy Budd.