Dr. William Morehead, 89, slipped away Nov. 28, 2021. Hew was born to at the family home in Memphis on Dec 31, 1931 to Turner G. and Marion Owens Morehead.
He graduated Central High School, Class of 49. He attended Mississippi State University and then it was on to medical school at the University of Tennessee, Class of 1955. He did his Internship and Residency at John Gaston Hospital in Memphis.
Upon graduation, he married the love of his life, Patricia Riegle (Pat) and after serving Uncle Sam in the Army, he took a position on the Presnell Hospital staff in Kennett, MO. He enjoyed his time in Kennett, but when Wayne Croom of Malden asked him to join his practice in 1963, he moved his growing family and made Malden his hometown for the next 50 years. His family practice grew as he delivered multi-generations of babies, stitched wounds, set bones, held hands, and always listened. He gave good news and bad news and carried his large black bag on house calls and rounds to the nursing homes. He was definitely the old time family doctor from years gone by.
He was an avid golfer beginning in his teens. Weekends would find him in competition with his buddies at the Malden Country Club or in some tournament with his wife, Pat. He was a Life Master bridge player. He was Past President of the local Lion’s Club and the Country Club and served as team physician for Malden High School football team. He loved games of any kind and especially enjoyed heading south to Tunica with Pat and son Will.
He followed his own advice: “The less said the better, it gives you time to hear what others are saying.” His legacy will be his abiding love for his wife and family, integrity, respect for others, honesty, patience, kindness and dedication to his profession.
He was preceded by a sister, Sarah Moore; and two brothers Turner Jr. and Robert Felder.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Patricia (Riegle) Morehead; his daughters, Patricia Kilgore (Larry) and Elizabeth Morehead (Martin Hilton); sons William Jr. and Robert Morehead (Catherine); eight grandchildren, Lauren, Travis and Joseph Kilgore, Turner, Henry and Hannah Morehead, and Eva and Noah Hilton; five great grandchildren, Bella, Josephine and Scarlett Anne Dixon, Charlie Jin Kilgore, and Harper Kilgore; a nephew Larry Morehead (Claudia) and niece Cathy Morehead (Jeffrey Picken); Sister-in-law Ausra Riegle, nephews Chuck (Cynthia) and Chris Riegle (Helen) and niece Kristina (David Gram).
Services were Saturday, Dec. 4 at St. John’s Episcopal Church 3245 Central Ave in Memphis. Visitation was at 10 a.m. with the service at 11 a.m. Interment followed at Elmwood Cemetery, 824 S. Dudley St., Memphis.
Those who wish to remember “Doc” in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, The Pat Summitt Clinic or a charity of choice.
