William Yarbrough

Dr. William Max Yarbrough, Jr

1937 - 2016

Diamondhead, MS, formerly of New Orleans

Dr. William Max Yarbrough, Jr., MD, age 79, of Diamondhead, passed away on Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at the Woodland Village Nursing Center in Diamondhead, Mississippi, following a brief illness.

He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Nancy (Le Rouge) Yarbrough; three sons and their spouses, William Max Yarbrough III and Gay Yarbrough of Houston, Texas; Paul Yarbrough and Pam Yarbrough of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, and Sidney Yarbrough and Tiffany Yarbrough of Lexington, Kentucky; and a daughter, Janet Armour and Mike Armour of Tupelo, Mississippi; a brother and sister-in-law, Conway Yarbrough and Melanie Yarbrough of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, and a sister, Freda Yarbrough Dunne of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; three grandchildren, William Michael Armour, John Yarbrough and Sarah Yarbrough, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and many close friends.

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the son of William Max Yarbrough Sr. and Hazel (Hubley) Yarbrough, he was a long-time resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, and later Diamondhead, Mississippi.

Dr. Yarbrough graduated from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge in 1956; LSU Pre-Medicine undergraduate program in Baton Rouge 1959; and LSU Medical School in New Orleans in 1963. He completed his medical internship at the Naval Hospital Charleston, South Carolina in Neurosurgery and eventually finished his residency in Anesthesiology and later became Assistant Director for Anesthesiology at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. He also worked for the Veterans Administration Hospital and then Southern Baptist Hospital, all in New Orleans. Additionally, Dr. Yarbrough taught at LSU Medical School from 1970 to 1975. He met his wife, Nancy Anne LeRouge, while both were attending LSU Medical School and they were married in 1961. In 1963, he joined the U.S. Navy and was commissioned an officer in the Medical Corps.

Serving with the Navy, Lieutenant Yarbrough USN (Medical Corps) interned at the Naval Hospital Charleston, South Carolina, and then was assigned to the USS Howard Gilmore (AS-16), homeported at Naval Base Charleston. Soon after, he commenced his residency at Charity Hospital New Orleans, while staying in the Naval Reserve. In the mid-1970s, he resigned from reserves at the rank of Commander. After completing several years at Charity Hospital, Dr. Yarbrough transferred to Southern Baptist Hospital in New Orleans. In 1988, he was reinstated into the U.S. Navy at the rank of Captain, becoming the most senior Anesthesiologist in the entire Navy. He then served as Chief of Anesthesia for the Naval Hospital Pensacola, Florida, and later held the same position at the Naval Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. He deployed to Port Au Prince, Haiti; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; the Mediterranean Ocean; South Atlantic and South American regions; and numerous staff assignments to Washington D.C. He retired from the U.S. Navy at the rank of Captain.

Dr. Yarbrough had a passion for reading historical novels, especially military history and accumulated an extensive library of books and movies pertaining to his favorite subject matter. He held active membership in an extensive number of medical societies and organizations. He also was president of his LSU Sigma Chi pledge class and was president of the prestigious Hill Club in Baton Rouge.

An avid golfer, he was a longtime member of the Diamondhead Country Club, and participated in frequent senior state and national tournaments. He was an active member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Pass Christian, MS.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 10:00 AM at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Pass Christian, with a visitation for family and friends from 9:00 AM until the Mass. A private entombment will be held at Lakelawn Metairie Mausoleum, New Orleans, LA.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church Building Fund, 9062 Kiln-DeLisle Road, Pass Christian, MS 39521.

RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 9113 Kiln Delisle Road, Pass Christian, is serving the family.

An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com.