Tributes

Pawleys Island William Watkins Pryor, Sr. MD Dr. William Watkins Pryor, age 87, passed away on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at his residence. Dr. William Watkins Pryor was born on August 30, 1924 in Oxford, North Carolina. He was the only child of William Henry Pryor and Annie May Watkins Pryor. Predeceased by his wife of 60 years Julia Ann Smoot Pryor, he is survived by his four children: Anne P. Garrett, Katherine P. Brown (Richard), William W. Pryor, Jr., MD (Cherylann) and J. Clifton Pryor, MD. He will be remembered always as a kind and loving person by them and his eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. "Putt", as his family called him, left home for Wake Forest College at the age of sixteen. After two years of undergraduate studies, he entered Duke Medical School. He received his medical degree from Duke University in 1947. He also did his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Duke Medical Center. After residency training, Dr. Pryor spent two years in the Air Force at Wright Air Development Center. In 1953, he returned to Duke as an associate in cardiology and as an instructor in the department of medicine. Dr. Pryor completed a Fellowship in Cardiovascular Medicine in 1955. That year, Dr. Pryor began his practice of Internal Medicine and Cardiology in Greenville, South Carolina. He was Greenville's first cardiologist to establish practice in the city. In 1971, he was appointed as Director of Internal Medicine for the Greenville Hospital System. Always active in teaching, Dr. Pryor was the first director of the Internal Medicine training program. After retiring from his position as Vice President of Medical Education at GHS, he continued as a consultant. Until just recently, Dr. "Putt" volunteered as the Smith Medical Clinic in Pawley's Island, South Carolina. Dr. Pryor's many accomplishments included membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society as well as earning the distinction of "Fellow of the American College of Physicians". He served as Governor for the South Carolina Chapter of the American College of Physicians and he received its highest honor, the Laureate Award. Dr. Pryor was recognized again in 2005 by the organization with the James A McFarland, MV, FACP award. For the past four years, "Putt" lived at Litchfield Beach, South Carolina in the family beach house. He enjoyed playing tennis, fishing, and an occasional night of dancing. He was able to travel to Duke Medical School Reunions as well as to family gatherings. Interment will be at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Smith Medical Clinic, Inc, 116 Baskervill Drive, Pawley's Island, SC 29585 or Tidelands Community Hospice, Inc., 2591 N. Frasier St., Georgetown, SC 29440 or GHS Pryor Society Legacy Fund c/o Department of Medicine, 701 Grove Rd. Greenville, SC 29605 Sign a guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com/obituaries Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Tributes

William Pryor, Sr.

August 30, 1924 - March 24, 2012