Name: Memorial service for Dr. William Madison "Bill" Satterwhite Jr.
Start: 2023-09-16T14:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-09-16T15:00:00.000Z
Location: Arbor Acres, Piner Hall

Dr. Satterwhite, Jr., William "Bill" Madison

January 12, 1934 - August 25, 2023

Dr. William ("Bill") Madison Satterwhite, Jr. passed away on August 25, 2023, at the age of 89 at Arbor Acres United Methodist Retirement Community in Winston-Salem, NC. He was born on January 12, 1934, to William Madison Satterwhite, Sr. and Mary Lee Satterwhite.

He grew up in Wake Forest, NC, with a younger sister, Mary Anne. Raised during the austerity of the Great Depression and World War II, his family often took in relatives and friends who needed room and board, which laid the foundation for his own loving, kind, and generous spirit.

Bill received his BS in 1954 from Wake Forest College and was pursuing a medical degree at Duke University when he was introduced to Phoebe Barnhardt by her twin brother, Luther. Bill saw Phoebe's picture on Luther's desk and said, "She is the prettiest woman I have ever seen." And the rest is history: Phoebe and Bill were married in the Duke Chapel in Durham on June 21, 1958.

From these modest beginnings Bill came to have an outsized impact on the broader Winston-Salem community. Following his residency, he started his own practice, Forsyth Ear, Nose, & Throat, which thrived and grew to have five partners in total. His children were often stopped in local stores and told stories of how much Dr. Satterwhite had impacted their lives and those of their families. Like his wife, he had a big heart for those in the community who were less fortunate, volunteering his time at the Crossnore Community for Children, The Samaritan Inn, and other noble causes. Following his retirement in 1998, he cofounded the Community Care Center, which provides health care services and medicines to thousands of uninsured patients who don't qualify for federal or private insurance. He also joined Phoebe in performing in the Sharps and Flats Choral Group and in Meals on Wheels musicals at Arbor Acres.

His humble, understated demeanor hid a keen interest in experiencing all life had to offer: Bill led his family in learning to snow ski, water ski, and scuba dive. Bill and Phoebe traveled extensively in Europe, Asia, Australia, and North and South America. Above all, Bill's primary joy in life was being out on the waters of nearby Lake Norman where he patiently and perseveringly taught countless friends and family members to water ski. He was even slaloming into his early eighties! Many of his and Phoebe's grandchildren were treated to a week-long "Camp Satterwhite" at Lake Norman where they learned to dance, waterski, make crafts, and pitch in with making meals.

Bill is predeceased in death by his parents, sister Mary Anne Maynard, and wife.

Bill is survived by his daughter Anne Looney (Don), son Bill Satterwhite, III (Katie), and son Robert Satterwhite (Cat); nine grandchildren (Austin, Meredith, Brad, Sarah, David, Anne, Aidan, Isaac, and Phoebe); and seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 16th, at 2 p.m. at Piner Hall, Arbor Acres United Methodist Retirement Community, 1240 Arbor Road, Winston-Salem, 27104, with a reception immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Community Care Center, 2135 New Walkertown Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Condolences may be sent online to www.salemfh.com.

Salem Funeral Home

120 South Main Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Winston-Salem Journal from Sep. 3 to Sep. 10, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for William Satterwhite

Sponsored by Salem Funerals & Cremations - Downtown.

6 Entries

Marjorie P Perkins

September 8, 2023

I worked at Medical Park Hospital and saw first hand how Dr. Satterwhite cared for his patients. His kind, calm manner and easy smile was welcomed by his patients and the staff. When I found a lump in my neck I mentioned it in passing to Dr.Satterwhite who calmly told me to tell one of the surgeons we worked with to look at it that evening. Dr. Satterwhite knew it was a tumor but was so calm I didn't get frightened, just followed his advise. Many years later I became disabled (losing half our income) and reached out to many people I knew asking if they had any work around their homes they could use help with, my husband was available. Dr. Satterwhite hired my husband, who he had never met, to hook up his new stereo and do some outside work. We talk about what the world needs, it needs more people like Dr. Satterwhite who cared about the people around him, saw their needs and helped.

Jim Shertzer

September 7, 2023

Bill and Phoebe were two of the most devoted and caring people I ever met. For many years, they came almost weekly to the film programs I ran at Arbor Acres and always had word of support. They will be greatly missed.

Cynthia "Brewer" Collins

September 3, 2023

Dr. Satterwhite was my ear doctor when I was a kid. I am now 55 years old. I remember taking out that pump and blowing a balloon up when we were finished. We didn´t have a lot of money and he let my mama and daddy make payments. When I graduated from high school, he sent a gift. He was the best doctor I have ever had. I honestly believe he actually cared for his patients. They don´t make doctors like Dr. Satterwhite anymore.

Mike Hodges

September 3, 2023

I used to call on Dr. Satterwhite when I was in the pharmaceutical business. He was a fine doctor and an absolutely wonderful man!!

Michael Clements

September 3, 2023

Bill Satterwhite was a wonderful community advocate and supporter. He worked most of his career trying to assure that people were medically cared for regardless of the circumstances. My deepest condolences to his family.