R. William Scarbrough

Dr. R. William Bill Scarbrough, Jr. - SAVANNAH - Dr. Roger William Bill Scarbrough, Jr., devoted husband, father, friend, and physician, died September 5, 2015, at Candler Hospital, surrounded by his family. Bill was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 20, 1935. He was the son of Roger William and Martha Ruth Chapman Scarbrough, who both preceded him in death as well as his sister, Sue Ann Morrissey. He grew up in Charlotte and Greensboro, North Carolina; he moved to Savannah in 1953. While living in Greensboro, Bill earned his Eagle Scout badge. From an early age, Bill exhibited a thirst for knowledge, utmost ethical values, scholastic acumen, loyalty to his family and friends, and a deep love for the Lord. From his first job as a paperboy through retirement as a physician, he demonstrated a passion to work hard and serve people. He graduated from Savannah High School in 1953; Senior Class President and Drum Major for the school band. His love for music continued as he worked his way through college playing the saxophone for a dance band. He attended Armstrong State College where he served as President of the Freshman Class. He received his Bachelor of Science in pre-med from Mercer University. While at Mercer, he served as President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia, where he was a member of Phi Rho Sigma medical fraternity. He completed his internship in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Southern Baptist Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana and completed his residency at Memorial Medical Center in 1965. After his residency, he served as a captain in the United States Army Medical Corps while stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He practiced medicine from 1967 to 2006 before retiring at the age of 70. During his career he served as chief of OB/GYN section and Chief of Staff at St. Joseph's/Candler hospital, Secretary of the medical staff, and member of the Board of Directors for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia. He was a member of the following medical associations: American College of OB/GYN, American Medical Association, Medical Association of Georgia, Georgia Medical Society, Southern Congress of OB/GYN, Georgia State OB/GYN Society, South Atlantic Association of OB/GYN, and the Southern Medical Association. He was a published author in the American Journal of OB/GYN. He was a member of The Georgia Salzburger Society, Chatham Club, and the Delphinium Bridge Group. He has faithfully served in his church, Calvary Baptist Temple, since 1968, where he served as a deacon and on numerous church/school committees. His commitment to serving the Lord (and others) continued when he became a Gideon in 2007, eventually serving a tenure as president. He and his wife served as chairman and co-chairman for the Georgia State Gideon Convention in 2009. Bill met the love of his life, Eleanor Lee, on a blind date in May of 1964. After just five months of courtship, they married. Celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in December 2014, their marriage was based on unconditional love and mutual respect. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge. He was an avid reader, gardener, tree farmer, furniture maker, beekeeper, and pilot. He completed the crossword puzzle every morning after reading the Savannah Morning News. He strove to be a better man and to serve others. Above all, he loved Jesus and lived his life as a humble servant. Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Eleanor Lee Scarbrough of Savannah, Georgia; two sons, Dr. Frank Eugene Scarbrough (Lucy) and Dr. Glen Lee Scarbrough (Lea), all of Savannah, Georgia, and four grandchildren, Addison Taylor Scarbrough, Elliot Lee Scarbrough, William Evan Scarbrough and Gerald Nathan Scarbrough. The family will receive friends from 5 until 8 o'clock Thursday at Calvary Baptist Temple - 4625 Waters Avenue. The funeral service will be held at 11 o'clock Friday morning at Calvary Baptist Temple conducted by The Reverend Kenny Grant and The Reverend Mike Bedford. Interment, with military honors, will be in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. Please consider remembrances to Calvary Baptist Temple - 4625 Waters Avenue, Savannah, Georgia 31404-6218 or Gideon Memorial Bible Secretary - Post Office Box #14048, Savannah, Georgia 31416. Bill had a deep love for animals. Please also consider remembrances to: Second Chance Dog Rescue - 280 Old Lake Road, Guyton, Georgia 31312 or Islands Feral Cat Project - 28 Twelve Oaks Drive, Savannah, Georgia 31410. Please share your thoughts about Bill and his life at www.gamblefuneralservice.com. Savannah Morning News September 8, 2015 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries.