William Calvin Reeves M.D.

Reeves, M.D., William Calvin Dr. William Calvin Reeves died Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2005, following a lengthy illness. He was born Aug. 2, 1924, a native and lifelong resident of Bernice. He graduated from Bernice High School and Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, now Louisiana Tech University. He attended LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, graduating in 1949. He completed an internship at Confederate Memorial Hospital in Shreveport. He then returned to Bernice in 1948 to begin private practice. He entered the U.S. Army and served as a lieutenant medical officer in Japan during the Korean War. Dr. Reeves was a co-founder of the Bernice Clinic and Hospital, now known as the Tri-Ward Hospital. His vision for the health care of his community led him with other community leaders to build the Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home. He served his community with long hours of caring, practicing medicine for more than 50 years. Dr. Reeves had been active in all phases of medicine until his last illness. He read diligently and kept up with all modern medicine. During his distinguished medical career, he served as president of the Louisiana Academy of Family Practice. In 2000, he was recognized for his service, receiving the Louisiana Rural Healthcare Association Recognition of Lifetime Achievement and Service as a rural physician. He was fondly referred to by his colleagues as "the country cardiologist." Dr. Reeves was a member of the American Medical Association and the Louisiana State Medical Society and served on the board of directors of Tri-Ward Hospital. When he retired from his practice in 2000, he assumed another title, "Town Gardener." He supervised the planting of trees lining Main Street and hanging baskets and planters along the downtown streets. He and Helen always sought to beautify their town, donating landscaping and park benches for the Oakhurst Park. His love for his community led him, with other business leaders, to form Bernice Industrial Development Co. Dr. Reeves served as the first president of this organization, and in 2005, was honored by BIDCO as the Outstanding Citizen. Dr. Reeves was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church of Bernice. He had served as a deacon at First Baptist and had been the men's Sunday school class teacher until his illness prevented his attendance. Dr. Reeves is survived by his wife of 55 years, Helen Rose Crow Reeves. He also is survived by four children, Dr. Carol Ridenour and husband Mike Dufilho of Baton Rouge, son, William Kent Reeves of Bentonville, Ark., daughter, Dr. Laura McLeane and husband Dr. Mark McLeane of North Little Rock, Ark., and daughter, Lisa Barr and husband, Chris Barr of Ruston. His nine grandchildren are Andrew and Hamilton Ridenour, Jennifer and Christopher Reeves, Elizabeth Reeves Smith, Anna and Will McLeane, and Sara Kate and Reeves Barr. He also is survived by a sister, Lillian Goss. Visitation for Dr. Reeves was at First Baptist Church in Bernice on Thursday, Sept. 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the church on Friday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m. Special thanks are extended to all our friends who have been so supporting during Dr. Reeves' illness, and to the wonderful staff of Hospice of Louisiana for their care and wisdom.