WILLIAM ROBERT HURST

WILLIAM ROBERT HURST, M.D. died peacefully June 5, 2010 after a long illness.He was born on April 22, 1928 in Lake Village, AK. He was the son of Dunlap Hurst and Virginia McClung Hurst. He grew up in Lake Village but during his high school years he attended Cullman Academy in Alabama and then graduated from Kemper Military School in Booneville, MO. He then attended Rice Institute in Houston, TX graduating in 1948. Dr. Hurst did his medical training at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX finishing in June, 1954. While a student at UTMB one of his proudest achievements was his work with Dr. William Levin building and organizing the first radioisotope lab in the country.After completing his internship he entered the Air Force, serving as a Flight Surgeon during the Korean War. Stationed in San Antonio, Dr. Hurst completed many missions throughout the world evacuating polio victims to Walter Reed Military Hospital in Bethesda, MD as well as training other medical personnel in the use of the iron lung.After military service, Dr. Hurst began a 50 year career as a family doctor. He moved to Conroe, TX in 1956 where he joined classmate Dr. Irv Watson in Dr. Dean Sadler's family practice clinic. He was instrumental in implementing the polio vaccination program in Conroe. For a number of years he also enjoyed a successful solo practice. After a return to the books for study and a rigorous examination, in 1970 Dr. Hurst became one of the first Board Certified Family Practice Specialists. He joined with friend Dr. Gus Derrick on W. Davis where they served the Conroe community until 1974.In the Spring of 1974, Dr. Hurst moved with his wife and family to Jackson Hole, WY where he bought and operated the Heart 6 Ranch, a guest ranch and outfitter's service. He also practiced medicine full time while Jane Carol and all the kids assisted him at the ranch, in the hunting camps or taking raft trips down the Snake River. While he enjoyed his medical practice in Jackson, during the Fall, he delighted in guiding big game hunts and telling tall tales about them.In 1984 Dr. Hurst and Jane Carol returned to TX to care for his mother and he became an emergency room practitioner in several East Texas hospitals. Returning to Conroe in 1991, he fully retired in 2005.His numerous memberships included the Texas Medical Association, Wyoming Medical Society, Jackson Hole Outfitters and Guides Association, Wyoming Outfitters Association, Wyoming Dude Ranchers Association, Rotary International, and Phi Rho Sigma Medical Fraternity at UTMB.Dr. Hurst is survived by his wife, Jane Carol Hurst, daughter Janice Marie Hurst, son Stephen William Hurst, daughter Mary Carol Buchanan and husband Larry; two stepsons, Michael Lee Baker and wife Beverly, and Thomas Arthur Baker; and brother James Taylor Hurst. Grandchildren are Angela Sue Rodell and husband, Joseph; Rebecca Marie Hurst, Christina Elizabeth Hurst, Daniel Aaron Hurst, Emily Fay Baker, Collin Michael Baker and wife Kelly, Clarke Edward Baker, Clayton Lee Baker, Nathaniel Thomas Baker; two great grandchildren, Jaxon and Lainey Rodell; nephew Peyton McClung Hurst, and niece Avery Halsted Hurst. He was preceded in death by his son Adam Robert Hurst and brother Dunlap Hurst, Jr.Pallbearers are his grandsons, his nephew and cousins, George and Tommy Dabney. Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. Barry Wood, Les Kinerd, Dr. Wally Wilkerson, Rev. Bob Seal, Ovi Salinas, Ralph Gill, Scott Dabney and Dr. Ed Flores.The family will receive friends on Monday evening, June 7th from 5 to 8 pm at Metcalf Funeral Home, 1801 E. White Oak Terrace, Conroe, TX 77304. Funeral Services will be held at 10 am, Tuesday, at the Metcalf Funeral Chapel with Dr. Jerry Neff of the First United Methodist Church officiating.