William Sams Tunner M.D.

1933 - 2025

William Sams Tunner, MD

November 14, 1933 - December 18, 2025

William Sams Tunner, MD died on December 18, 2025. Bill was born on November 14, 1933, in San Antonio, Texas to Margaret Sams Tunner and Lt. General William Henry Tunner. His father's military service and the premature death of his mother resulted in Bill and his younger brother Joseph spending much of their childhood with Sams relatives in Mississippi. Bill graduated from the Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut in 1952, and matriculated to Washington and Lee University, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

In 1955, Bill began his rigorous medical training at The University of Virginia, where he completed a U.S.P.H.S. fellowship in microbiology and graduated with his medical degree in 1960. Bill completed surgical training at Duke University Medical Center and the National Cancer Institute of NIH in Bethesda, Maryland. He was a resident in the Division of Urology at The New York Hospital, Cornell Medical Center from 1964-1966, and served as chief resident from 1966 to 1968. He met his wife Sallie Berry Woodul while performing his residency at New York Hospital. They married on December 4, 1965, in New York City.

Upon completion of his residency in New York, Bill accepted a faculty position with the University of Texas, San Antonio, heading up its kidney transplant team. In 1972, Bill and Sallie moved with their two sons, Billy and Jonathan, to Richmond, Virginia, to be near Bill's father and his wife Ann and his younger sister Suzanne who lived at Hockley Farm in Ware Neck, Virginia. Bill served as Chief of Urology at St. Mary's Hospital where he was a member of the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, and the Member Foundation Board. He was one of the founding members of the Virginia Urology Center. His many professional appointments included serving as President of the Virginia Chapter of the American College of Surgeons and President of the Virginia State Urological Society. Throughout his career, he received numerous accolades and awards, published extensively in medical journals and presented internationally and across the U.S.

After his retirement, Bill spent his time outside, actively maintaining his farm. Bill was an avid horseman and rode until his early 80s, earning his colors with Deep Run and Farmington hunt clubs. Bill enjoyed skiing and took his family on many memorable ski trips in the US, Europe, and Canada. Like his father who commanded the Military Air Transport Service during the Berlin Airlift, Bill was an extraordinarily organized and competent leader. Those skills along with his patriotism and love of community led him to accept leadership positions with various organizations, including serving as president of the Virgina Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution, president of the Virginia Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, and as an active member of the Jamestown Society. Bill was a past member of the Country Club of Virginia, the Ware River Yacht Club, St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Goochland and Grace Episcopal Church in Keswick.

Bill is predeceased by his mother, father, and brother. He is survived by his cherished wife Sallie, devoted sons Billy (Ashley) and Jonathan of Richmond and four beloved grandchildren, William Keesee Tunner, Celia Sams Tunner, Caroline Elyzabeth Tunner and Catherine Edelen Tunner and his loving sister Suzanne Hudson (David) and his four nephews Wood, Tucker, Jesse and Connor Hudson and their wives and children.

A memorial service will be held January 5, 2026, at 11 a.m., at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 6000 Grove Avenue, followed by a reception in the parish hall.