Dr. Facs William Nathaniel Haffner M.D.

Dr. William Nathaniel Haffner, MD, FACS

2024

Remembering William Nathaniel Haffner, MD, FACS who died peacefully in Wichita, KS on May 15, 2024. He was a retired General Surgeon, born in Allentown, PA to Vorha Baliman Haffner, MD and Thomas Haffner. His mother moved her medical practice to Ottawa, KS to be close to family and William graduated from Ottawa High School. He graduated from Ottawa University where he continued his 16 years of classical piano and pre-med. He graduated from the School of Medicine at Kansas University. He did his residency at the Allentown Hospital where he was born, the same hospital where his mother completed her Internal Medicine Residency. William enlisted in the United States Public Heath Services and was assigned to the Navajo Reservation in Kayenta, Arizona as the Chief Medical Officer. Upon completion of his service, Lieutenant Commander Haffner returned to Kansas to start his Family Practice in Augusta, KS. Dr. Haffner started his Surgical Residency at St. Francis Hospital, Wichita, KS. He was the first General Surgeon to complete the entire Surgical Residency program under the leadership of Dr. George Farha, MD, FACS through the Kansas University Surgical Residency Program at St. Francis Hospital. Dr. Haffner opened his primary surgical office in El Dorado, KS and served multiple towns, cities and counties. He enjoyed bringing new technologies and procedures to the area. He also enjoyed downhill skiing, sailing, lap swimming, playing classical piano, attending the Symphony in Santa Fe, NM and the Wichita Symphony, and driving his sports cars. He established and cared for his successful, seedstock Black Angus herd. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Judith of El Dorado, KS, 4 children from a previous marriage: Dr. Paul, Sabrina, Laurie, and Chris, 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. As he wanted, memorials are established at KPTS-KS and The Wichita Symphony. A private service was held on Monday, October 28, 2024. Many thanks to Carlson and Kirby-Morris Funeral Homes and to Mr. Lionell Butts.