William Fletcher Harper M.D.
William Fletcher Harper M.D.
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William Harper Obituary
After graduating from Nederland High School, 1962, he attended Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. He attended the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (UTMB), graduating in 1970. After an internship and residency at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, he served at Clark Air Base, Philippines and McDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida.
Honorably discharged, Dr. Harper established a 17-year Internal Medicine practice in Pine Bluff, AR, before moving to Galveston, Texas, and continuing to care for patients. His ever-evolving career brought him to the main campus of UTMB where he was awarded an academic appointment as Professor of Medicine and was involved with medical education. During his vast and versatile career, he served as Chief of Medicine and Chief of Staff for the Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System in Temple, Texas. He was appointed Professor of Medicine at Texas A&M School of Medicine before moving to Alabama and serving as Chief of Staff of the Veterans Medical Center in Birmingham. In retirement, Dr. Harper returned to Texas and volunteered to share his knowledge with medical students teaching the Art of the Practice of Medicine.
He touched many lives as a hands-on clinician, teacher, and mentor.
Bill Harper was a man of character and compassion. A gentleman. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was known to many as the man with the "magic stethoscope" and is easily managing his signature hat and a halo.
He is survived by his loving wife, Peggy, their daughter, Katharine McCormick (William) and grandchildren Harper and William McCormick; their son Wil (Kristin) and grandchildren Jack and Charles Harper.
In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Dr. Harper's memory can be made directly to the American Diabetes Association or the National Kidney Foundation.
A time of visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 8th, 2022 at Ramsey Funeral Home.
The graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 8th, 2022 at Central Texas State Veteran Cemetery in Killeen, Texas with honors to be rendered by the United States Air Force.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of William Fletcher Harper M.D., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Omar Awad
September 9, 2022
One of the kindest people I´ve ever met. He touched so many lives with his passion, intellect and humanity. You will be missed Dr. Harper
Iftikhar "Ifti" Ali
September 7, 2022
I along with hundreds of residents had the privilege of learning how to be a better doctor from Dr. Harper while he was at UTMB. I find myself often remembering some of his shared wisdom. Please accept our deepest condolences and prayers.
renita pearson
September 7, 2022
dr harper was very clarifying regarding resources and budgets for birmingham va sugery dept. he made the monthly reviews in which union presence was required, seem so interesting and inclusive 2014-2016. thanks for sharing the news
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Charmaine
September 7, 2022
Praying for comfort during this time. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Nia Newton
September 7, 2022
My sincerest condolences and prayers to the Harper family. He was truly a remarkable man with a beautiful spirit and will be missed.
Yasser Sakawi
September 7, 2022
My sincerest condolences to Dr. Harper's family. He was my Chief of Staff and he was a great mentor to me and to other people.
Linda Blackmon
September 6, 2022
To the Harper family- I knew Dr. Harper from the Birmingham VAMC. He was well respected and liked. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
Stefan Kertesz
September 6, 2022
I had the good fortune of working with Dr. Harper when he was our Chief of Staff at the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He insisted on joining us in residents' clinic, often had words of wisdom and a warm sense of humor. I found him to be a wonderful colleague. We appreciated his leadership and commitment to the Veterans. One time we had a challenge getting dental care, on a Friday afternoon. Dr. Harper walked me and the Veteran across the building to the dental clinic: problem solved. People understood he was compassionate and he was not afraid to advocate for our patients.
Stefan G Kertesz, MD
Renee Smith
September 6, 2022
Peggy, I'm so sorry for your loss. I really enjoyed working for Dr. Harper when he was in Birmingham. I have some very specific fond memories with him. I pray for comfort for you and your family during this difficult time.
TERRIE LANDERS
September 6, 2022
PRAYERS OF COMFORT TO HIS FAMILY. A VERY HUMBLE AND SWEET MAN
Stan Spillers
September 6, 2022
Dr. Harper thanks for your service at the Birmingham VA Medical Center and throughout the VA community . You will be missed. Rest in peace...
Ladi
September 4, 2022
Peggy,
You and I met only once- at Thom's memorial service- but you know how much I thought of Bill. He handpicked me to take his place when he decided to head into retirement and helped give me a way to come back home and I have hopefully only built on his legacy. I pray for you and the kids and the grandchildren- he has finished the race, fought the good fight and has gone home to the Father to rest. We will see him again when we all get called home. Till then, I pray comfort and blessings upon y'all.
Mike Morgan
September 4, 2022
Peggy, We have only met once which was at the home of John Price on Lake Travis. Bill, John, and I were all high school classmates. I am very sorry for your loss and want you to know that there are many of us, whom you do not know, that had a great deal of admiration for Bill. Please accept my sympathy and take what comfort you can from the respect that I, and others, had for Bill.
Laura Millikan
September 4, 2022
Peggy, I am so sorry about Bill. I have such fond memories of him, particularly at the kids´ birthday parties, snapping pictures left and right. I can vividly picture his smiling face and hear his laugh at something one of the kids said or did. May your memories and the knowledge that there are many of us who love you be a comfort in the days ahead.
With prayers and much love, Laura
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5600 Williams Dr., Georgetown, TX 78633
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