William Howard Wisner M.D.

WISNER, M.D., WILLIAM HOWARD Made of the Right Stuff Dr. William Howard Wisner's long career as an orthopedic surgeon and aviator ended Sunday morning. Dr. Wisner died peacefully at home with his family on Sunday March 13, 2005, two days prior to his 78th birthday. "This marks the end of an era," remarked Tom Towle, his longtime Mineola friend and fellow pilot. William Howard Wisner was born March 15, 1927, the son of pioneer aviator Bryce C. Wisener and Edna Sally Terry in Grand Saline, TX. Howard managed to merge his earliest memories of his barnstorming father and his physician grandfather with dual careers in both medicine and aviation. Dr. Wisner was an enthusiastic aviator and a respected flight instructor throughout his life. Lieutenant Colonel William Howard Wisner served with the 5th Army Air Corps during the Korean War. Dr. Wisner then returned to Mineola as Chief Flight Instructor for the Wisener School of Aeronautics which afforded returning GIs the opportunity to pursue aviation. During that time, he authored "Aviation News," a weekly column in the Mineola Monitor. In the 1950s, Dr. Wisner was a pilot for Delta Airlines. As captain he flew domestic flights for eight years. Dr. Wisner received his Bachelor of Science degree from East Texas State Teachers College in 1954. Dr. Wisner graduated from the highly competitive University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, TX in 1960. He completed his internship with Baylor University Medical School from 1960-61. Dr. Wisner was awarded a position as Chief Resident of Orthopedic Surgery at Crippled Children's Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. During that time, Dr. Wisner was the attending physician who received the victims of the historic and tragic 1963 Birmingham Church fire. Upon returning to Texas, Dr. Wisner became the first orthopedic surgeon in Garland and was instrumental in establishing orthopedic surgery at the Baylor- Garland Hospital. He was a member of the American Medical Assn. and the Texas Medical Assn. His lifelong service as a practicing physician continued until his death. Pursuing his love of the classics, he earned a Master of Liberal Arts degree in English Literature from Southern Methodist University in 1974. He was a member of the 500 Club and a fervent supporter of the arts throughout his life. Dr. Wisner was also an avid horseman having played Polo at the Willow Bend Polo and Hunt Club for many years. He served as the Master of Foxhounds for the Hickory Creek Hunt of North Texas and Joint Master of Foxhounds for the Cloud Line Hounds in Celeste, TX. Dr. Wisner's extensive aviation records document over 20,000 flying hours. Accounts of his global circumnavigational flights by a single-engine aircraft are documented with the "The EarthRounders." Most aviators only dream of flying around the world but Dr. Wisner made the expedition four times. He received The National Aeronautic Association and the Federation Aeronautique Internationale award four times. In his Bonanza he traversed every continent except Antarctica. In 1986, Dr. Wisner flew Kangahorn 26Q in the Texas Sesquicentennial Australia Jubilee 150 from Austin, Texas to Adelaide, Australia. This was the first west bound around the world formation flight in aviation history. Dr. Wisner was a member in good standing of the American Bonanza Society, as well as the exclusive Order of the Quiet Birdmen. As a former member of the Businessman's Flying Assn, Dr. Wisner participated by providing flights to camp for handicapped children. A bit of a maverick, Dr. Wisner could be spotted in the skies of East Texas most any day. The roar from the radial engine of his AT-6, WWII fighter trainer regularly brought folks running from the quiet of their living rooms to gaze in awe at the unique bird flying overhead. A collector of planes, Dr. Wisner owned such classics as the B-25 Bomber, Stearman bi-plane, PT-19, the eleven passenger Twin Beech and a highly modified, turbo-charged Beechcraft Bonanza. Dr. Wisner earned his membership to the internationally acclaimed Explorers Club through his many and varied global adventures. Dr. Wisner married his beloved Janice Sullivan in 1995. Mrs. Wisner, also an experienced pilot, accompanied him on many of his world travels and expeditions. Over the years Dr. Wisner was always generous to his community, his family and his friends. Dr. Wisner helped many young people pursue their academic education and careers in aviation. He was a founding member of St Dunstan's Episcopal Church in Mineola. Dr. Wisner was preceded in death by both his father and mother. He is survived by his devoted wife Janice, of Mineola; twin daughters Marilyn Allen and Carolyn Wisner, of Dallas; step daughter Teresa Powell, of Washington D.C.; and grandsons Travis Allen, and Troy and Brent Powell. Visitation for Dr. Wisner will be Thursday evening from 6 - 8 PM at Beaty Funeral Home in Mineola. Services for Dr. Wisner will held at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, 800 N. Johnson Street, Mineola, at 10:30 AM this Friday. Pallbearers are Colonel Rex Denney, Captain Tom Richards, Dr. John Wisdom, Frank Haile, J.P. Reese and Gaelen Singler. William H. Wisner, MD, will be remembered throughout the ages as a legend in aviation and an expert in medicine. He will always fly in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Flowers are appreciated. Donations may be made to the American Heart Assn. or the American Cancer Society.