Jack was born in 1938 in Beckley, West Virginia to French Williams, a country boy, and Elsie Chipolata, an Italian immigrant. He was educated in public schools and was president of his class for 6 years through junior high and high school. He went to Duke University in 1956 for undergraduate school, followed by Medical School in 1961. While there he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Delta Phi Alpha, and Phi Delta Theta.
In his sophomore year of Medical School, he met and fell in love with a Duke nursing student, “Kitty” Smith. Shortly after graduation they married and moved to Hanover, New Hampshire where Jack started his Internship. That year he was drafted by the military and served as an Air Force medical officer in France and Turkey from 1966-68.
In 1968, Kitty and Jack returned to Durham and Duke, where Jack started his Residency in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. It was during this time that their children, Kim and Kelley, were born. In 1972 the family moved to Shelby, North Carolina. Over the next 28 years Jack had a solo practice in Otolaryngology. At the time of his retirement he had 60,000 new patient charts. For 28 years Jack was on staff of Cleveland Regional Medical Center, where he served as Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery. He was on the hospital board of trustees for 9 years.
Jack loved Duke. He was the medical school class agent for over 50 years and in 1990 was president of the Davison Club. In 1991 he received the Charles A. Dukes Award for outstanding volunteer service to Duke.
He had many interests, among them bodybuilding, billiards, and photography. He was a history major at Duke and subsequently an avid reader of nonfiction, especially history.
Jack said more than once that he was proud of his professional accomplishments, but was proudest of his family, whom he loved and cherished.
Jack is survived by his wife, Kitty Williams. Children, Kim Becker (Mike) and Kelley Williams. Grandchildren, Brad, Sam, and Ava Becker. Also survived by his sister, Shirley Hawks, brother-in-law, Jack Smith (Terri), and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Celebration of Life service will be held at 2pm this Saturday, March 4 at Central United Methodist Church. Family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Dr, Shelby, NC 28150 or YMCA, 411 Cherryville Rd, Shelby, NC 28150.
Online condolences may be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com
Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family.
Read More
