William Rankin

Retired physician William (Bill) Rankin, Jr. passed away with family at his bedside November 25, 2014 in Georgetown, Texas. Bill is survived by his loving wife Janis Reed Rankin; his dear sister Edna Moody Rankin of Nacogdoches, Texas; his children William E. Rankin III, wife Christy and their sons William Rankin IV and Jay Rankin of Houston, Texas; Diane Rankin Benelli and husband Cesare and their son Lorenzo Benelli of Venice, Italy; Julia Rankin Howard and husband Jay and their daughter Jenna Howard of Austin, Texas; and Gregory Rankin and his sons Grayson Rankin, Parker Rankin, and Colin Rankin of Richardson, Texas. Bill is also survived by his stepsons William Reed, wife Susan and daughter Cameryn of League City, Texas; Brian Reed, wife Kathy and daughters Sarah and Juliet of Vienna, Virginia; and Brandon Reed, wife Katie, and daughter Eva of Olympia, Washington. Bill is also survived by his nephews Bobby, Russell, and Ross Moody, niece Margo Moody Hill and their families, and a cousin who seemed more like a brother Bob Schwab. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William E. Rankin and Carolyn Schwab Rankin of Galveston, Texas. Bill was born October 16, 1930 and raised in Galveston, attending public schools. He spent his first two years of college at Southwestern in Georgetown, then transferring to the University of Texas in Austin at his father's insistence that Bill pursue a more academic approach to college. After graduation, he attended the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, graduating in 1957 with a medical degree and a classmate, Jimmie Bagley, who has remained a life-long friend. After interning at Missouri General Hospital in Kansas City, Bill joined the US Navy and was stationed at NAAS Chase Field in Beeville, Texas for 2 years. He returned to Kansas City, Missouri to complete a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Bill then moved his growing family to Lubbock, Texas where he had joined a busy OB/GYN practice. In 1978 he returned to Galveston, practicing at St. Mary's and John Sealy Hospitals until he retired in 1997. Bill especially enjoyed his OB experiences, delivering about 6500 babies during the first 38 of his 40 years in practice. While in practice, Bill was an active member of the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, serving willingly on state and local boards and committees in an effort to improve maternal and infant health. After retirement, Bill enjoyed trailer-traveling throughout the USA and Canada. He planned trips to Alaska, Asia, Mexico, and especially to Europe to see his Italian family in Venice. He loved reading, especially historical and nonfiction books, and he was always ready to play dominos, board games, and cards. He enjoyed any and all family get-to-gathers. Bill and Jan relocated to Sun City in February 2009 and enjoyed making new friends there. Bill touched many lives in his 84 years on earth. He was compassionate, loving, forgiving, funny, resilient, optimistic, very dependable, and always available to those who needed him. Bill is sorely missed by his family and friends. His was a life well lived. Interment will be at the I.O.O. F. Cemetery on Monday, December 15, 2014 in Georgetown, Texas at 10:00 A.M. preceding a funeral mass at 12 noon at Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church. A luncheon will follow, in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Santa Rosa de Lima Building Fund at 6571 FM 970, Florence, Texas, 76527, the March of Dimes, or the charity of your choice. You may share a message or memory in the memorial guestbook at www.RamseyFuneral.com.