Dr. William Leonard Albritton

William Leonard Albritton December 1, 1941 – February 18, 2025
Dr. William Leonard Albritton (Bill) passed away at home from natural causes on February 18, 2025, at the age of 83. Bill was born in Andalusia, Alabama, on Dec. 1, 1941, and always considered this city to be home, even while his life and career took him outside of Alabama for many years.
After graduating from Andalusia High School, Bill pursued an education that led to a career in research and medicine (PhD in microbiology 1968 University of Tennessee; MD 1970 Medical College of Alabama; pediatric residency 1970-73 Stanford University). He served two tours of active duty in the United States Public Health Service at the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia (1973-75, 1982-84), and also served at the National Hansen's Disease Center in Carville, Louisiana. During this time, he married his high school sweetheart Elizabeth (Betty) Renfroe and started a family. Through all of the moves and professional accomplishments that followed, Betty remained the love of his life, his best friend, and his partner.
In 1975, Bill and his family immigrated to Canada where he spent most of his academic career, working in the prairie provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. During these years, Bill dedicated his summer vacations to research at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Long Island, New York, in what became a beloved and enriching tradition for Bill and his family alike. In 1994, Bill and Betty moved to Pensacola, Florida to be closer to family, and Bill practiced pediatrics and taught there for eight years. In 2002, Bill became Dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan – a position he held for two terms, stepping down in 2012 and retiring in 2017. He always described this experience as an incredible privilege, in his words "winning the lottery," for the opportunity it provided to spend his time working with talented colleagues for positive change.
Inspired by his experience growing up in the South during the Civil Rights Era, Bill remained deeply committed throughout his life to principles of social justice and responsibility. He firmly believed that healthcare is a fundamental human right. During his tenure as Dean of Medicine in Saskatchewan, Bill was most proud to facilitate the creation of several ongoing student initiatives that aim to remove social barriers and create equitable access to healthcare.
Beyond his career achievements, Bill will be most remembered for his sharp wit; his stunning ability to solve word puzzles; his stop-you-in-your-tracks glare (if you've received it, you know); his love of children; his subtle but sound medical advice (we all should have listened to the bit about sunscreen); his love of music and movies and books and Alabama football; his sharply honed storytelling skills; his appreciation for a beautiful camellia bloom in winter; his passion for both his immediate family and his extended family, especially his cousins, nieces, and nephews; and his commitment to the community where he grew up.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents (William Harold Albritton, Jr. and Anne Kirtley Long Albritton), his older brother (Robert Bynum Albritton II), and his and Betty's first son, who died in infancy. He will be achingly missed by Betty, his loving wife of 61 years, and his children, who adored him -- daughter Erin (and her husband, George Muñoz), and son Benjamin (and his wife, Abbie Sprague).
The family is planning a celebration of Bill's life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Andalusia, 223 South 3 Notch Street, Andalusia, AL 36420; the Carver Community Center of Florala (https://www.carvercommunity.org/donations); St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html); or a charity of your choice.
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