Dr. William Nelson Williford

William Nelson Williford, M.D., passed away on Sunday, September 18th at the age of 85. Dr. Williford was born in Knoxville on August 30, 1937 as the only son to the late Willie and Josephine Williford (née Byerley). He was a well-known member of Knoxville’s medical community, having treated and operated on thousands of patients in over thirty years of leading his own ophthalmology practice. William graduated from Knoxville East High School in 1955 and went on to graduate cum laude from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1959. He participated in the university’s ROTC program and received a commission as a U.S. Army officer. He attained the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, working as an Administrative Officer at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. At Walter Reed, he met his future wife and soul mate, Gloria, in 1963. William resigned from active duty in 1965 and married Gloria in 1966. Working as a management intern at the National Institutes of Health, William decided to return to Tennessee to study medicine. While studying at the University of Tennesee College of Medicine, he was hit in the eye with a golf ball when wearing a hard contact lens. He recovered under the care of an ophthalmologist, listening to the moon landing with bandaged eyes. This event inspired his choice of specialty, graduating from medical school in 1970 a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed an internship at Baptist Memorial Hospital, where he was voted “favorite intern” by the student body of the School of Nursing. He completed his ophthalmology residency at UT Memphis, and then practiced in Bristol, TN and Harlingen, TX before returning to Knoxville to found his own practice. Dr. Williford was one of the first ophthalmologists in the area to provide intraocular implants for cataract patients, and his practice specialized in cataract surgery. He was dedicated to his work, which he found absorbing and fulfilling, and strove to be the Dr. Bill that patients would enjoy seeing. He also enjoyed celebrating holidays at the office with his staff, particularly Groundhog Day. As an avid golfer, he celebrated the day as halfway to spring, regardless of the opinion of the groundhog. Dr. Williford was a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American College of Surgeons. He was a member of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine, American Medical Association, and the Tennessee Academy of Ophthalmology. He was also a longstanding member of the UT College of Medicine Alumni Association, serving as President from 1996-1998. In 1997, he established the William N. Williford, MD, Distinguished Visiting Professorship at the UT Health Science Center Hamilton Eye Institute. Outside of the practice of medicine, William loved golf and outdoor photography. He was preceded in death by his wife Gloria Williford (née Lamanna), and his three sisters: Wanda Fairbanks, Mary Evelyn and Jeannette. He is survived by his sons Sean (Klahr) of Brooklyn, NY and Jason (Cynthia) of Laramie, WY, and his two grandchildren, Jaedon and Cadence. William was a dedicated physician, excellent surgeon, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a loyal friend. He will be greatly missed. A receiving of friends will be held Friday, September 23 from 5-7pm at Rose Funeral & Cremation - Mann, 6200 Kingston Pike. The family welcomes all that knew William to join them in remembrance of him.

Tributes

Dr. William Nelson Williford

August 30, 1937 - September 18, 2022