William R. Hudson M.D.

William Rucker Hudson, MD
Durham
Dr. William Rucker Hudson died at home July 4, 2012 surrounded by his wife and children. He was the son of the late Rev. and Mrs. Esper Valentine Hudson. Dr. Hudson was born on May 16, 1925 in Charlotte, NC and spent his formative years in Cramerton, NC, where he attended grade school and high school. In 1942 he entered Mars Hill College and in the summer of 1943 he was drafted in the Army. Dr. Hudson served in the 88th Infantry Division in Italy receiving the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Following discharge, he entered Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., subsequently attending Wake Forest University Medical School in Winston-Salem, NC where he received an MD degree in 1951, followed by an internship at the University of Texas Hospital in Galveston, Texas. In 1952 he briefly practiced family medicine in Cleveland County, North Carolina later moving to Canton in Haywood County, practicing there until 1957. Returning to North Carolina Baptist Hospital, he completed a residency in Otolaryngology followed by a fellowship at John Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD.
In 1961 Dr. Hudson was appointed to the faculty of the Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, Duke University School of Medicine. In 1995 he retired from Duke University after 30 years as Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. The number of young residents trained under his leadership were a source of pride.
Dr. Hudson was active at the national level of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, serving as President of the American Broncho-Esophageal Association, the Triological Society and the American Laryngological Association. Locally he was an active member of the North Carolina Medical Society and was President of the Durham-Orange Medical Society.
Dr. Hudson enjoyed golf and tennis and spent many happy hours hunting and fishing. He particularly enjoyed their lake place at Kerr Lake and later, their beach place at Tar Landing in Atlantic Beach. Dr. Hudson was a great friend and companion to many people. He lived a life worth living, serving his fellow man and being a devoted father and husband. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, kindness and wisdom. He will be missed.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Nancy McLean Hudson, daughters Margaret (David) Trosper, Anne (Rob) Mackintosh and son Bill (Jeri DeYoung) Hudson, grandchildren Peter (Barb) Trosper, Elizabeth (Jason) Jernigan, Anna (Patrick) Casebere, Allison Mackintosh, Rachel Mackintosh and Audrey Hudson. He was blessed with three great grandchildren, Joseph Trosper, Clara Jernigan and Iris Casebere. Dr. Hudson is also survived by two sisters, Catherine West and Sally (Marcus) Gulley and brother Ed (Della) Hudson. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service and reception will be held Saturday, July 14 at 2:00pm at the Watts Street Baptist Church in Durham where he was a long time member.
Those who wish to remember Dr. Hudson with a memorial are asked to make gifts in his name to Duke Hospice, 4321 Medical Park Drive, Suite 101, Durham, NC 27704 or to the DOAS Endowed Lectureship (Duke Otolaryngology Alumnus Society), Duke University Medical Center 3805, Durham, NC 27710.
Howerton & Bryan Fueneral Home is assisting the Hudson family. Online condolences may be submitted to www.howertonbryan.com