William Nelson Offutt IV, M.D., Facs

1939 - 2023

William Nelson (Bill) Offutt IV, MD, FACS
May 3, 1939 - February 19, 2023
Lexington, Kentucky - William Nelson (Bill) Offutt IV, MD, FACS died peacefully in Georgetown, Kentucky on February 19, 2023, at the age of 83. Bill was born May 3, 1939 in Lexington, Kentucky, the son of the late Celeste Lyons Offutt Frierson and William Nelson (Bill) Offutt III, MD. He is preceded in death by his wife Jane Allen Tullis whom he married on June 11, 1966 in Ashland, KY. He is survived by their children, Jane Scott Offutt Hodges (Philip) of New Orleans, Louisiana, and William Nelson (King) Offutt V (Grandison McLean) of Georgetown, Kentucky. He is also survived by his sister Celeste Maury Offutt, DVM of Georgetown, KY and brothers Randolph Lyons Offutt, MD of Georgetown, KY, Mitchum Webb Offutt of New Orleans, Louis Lumaghi Frierson (Ruthie) of New Orleans and brother-in-law, Col. Frank Lloyd Tullis (Janet) of Williamsburg, Virginia. Nothing brought him more joy than his four grandchildren: Jane Talley Hodges, Philip Nalty Hodges, Jr., William Nelson (Wilkes) Offutt VI and Emeline McLean Offutt. An inveterate outdoorsman, Bill relished any type of hunting or fishing - as he often said, if he wasn't actually hunting or fishing, he was thinking about hunting or fishing. The sportsman's Paradise of Louisiana was Bill's second home; he had many friends in New Orleans and often found occasion to spend time there. Bill earned his Master Cattleman in 2004. While cattle were his main agricultural endeavor, he also had particular interest in creating fields that would best attract doves to share with his friends. Many enjoyed Jane Allen and Bill's hospitality at Miller's Run, especially their post Dove Hunt gatherings. His greatest passion project was rebuilding Miller's Run Farm, the family homestead in Georgetown. The acres of land that he spent time acquiring and piecing together throughout his life brought him countless hours of enjoyment and strengthened his connection to his heritage. His restoration, together with Jane Allen, of the 1780 stone house cemented his bond to the land and place. Dr. Offutt was a native of Lexington, Kentucky, and followed his father and grandfather in the tradition of central Kentucky eye surgeons. He attended the Taft School in Watertown, CT and was a proud alumna of Washington and Lee University's class of 1961. He went on to medical school at the University of Kentucky and, following his graduation in 1968, did his Ophthalmic Residency at the Wills Eye Hospital and Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He interned at Charity Hospital, New Orleans, LA. Bill was awarded a Heed Ophthalmic Foundation Fellowship Award for postgraduate work in Corneal Transplant and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery 1972-1973. He received the American Academy of Ophthalmology "Honor" Award in 1992, and the Wills Eye Hospital "Silver Tray" Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1993. Dr. Offutt was certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology; he was a member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Dr. Offutt was past Chairman of the Council, and a member of Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He was past president of the Lexington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, the Kentucky Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, and the Wills Eye Hospital Society in Philadelphia. Dr. Offutt was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the Heed Ophthalmic Society, and past chairman of Humana Hospital-Lexington's Center for Advanced Eye Surgery. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Offutt was a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology and past Director of Ophthalmic Plastic Service in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Kentucky. He pioneered the use of the carbon dioxide laser in cosmetic blepharoplasty and facial skin resurfacing in Kentucky and was honored to perform international outreach on the Orbis Eye Jet for patients in need. He was a member of the Boston Club in New Orleans, the Lexington Club, and a member of Keeneland. A private Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, February 25 at Lexington Cemetery with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest a donation to The Kentucky Lions Eye Institute, Lexington Hearing and Speech Center or the charity of your choice.