Dr. Willie R. Stafford Jr.

For nearly sixty years, Dr. Willie R. “Bill” Stafford Jr. touched many lives through the practice of medicine. His devotion to his patients was second only to his love and devotion to his family. Dr. Stafford died on Thursday, August 3, 2017. He was 88. His family will celebrate his legacy at 2 PM, Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at First Baptist Church with Pastor Alan Sherouse officiating followed by a gathering in the fellowship hall of the church.

Dr. Stafford was born in Draper, NC to the late Willie Ransome and Adelaide Cross Stafford. His family moved to Burlington where he spent his formative years and lived until he completed college. The people of Burlington and the “mill village” where he grew up played a big part in the development of the values he embraced. He pursued his education at Elon College, Virginia Tech and UNC-Chapel Hill Medical School before serving his country with the US Army. His kind and giving manner was a perfect complement to his chosen profession as it endeared him to his patients during his nearly sixty years of practice, with fifty three years of that time spent practicing in Greensboro. Not only was “Doctor Bill”, as he was lovingly known, devoted to his patients, but his patients were devoted to him. Patients would wait for hours to see him knowing he would take whatever time it took to tend to their needs even though those needs were not always related to the reason for the appointment. He was the epitome of a family doctor. Dr. Stafford was a role model and an institution in the field of medicine and in his personal life as well. He will be remembered as a generous spirit who inspired individuals through his actions and words.

Music was food for the soul to Bill and he was an accomplished trumpet player who enjoyed all types of music, especially jazz and big band. He also enjoyed playing tennis, quail hunting, was quite the dancer, and loved his Tar Heels. Bill served the Lord as a faithful and active member of First Baptist Church for many years.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife, Joanne Craft Stafford and sister, Arlene Stafford McIntyre.

He is survived by his wife, Sue Edwards Stafford of the home, sons, Bill Stafford and wife Jan and Rick Stafford and wife Marian, stepdaughter, Sheri Fording, all of Greensboro; grandchildren, Katie Carbone, Richard Stafford, Tyler Cecil, Grace Stafford, and Madalyn Fording; and great grandchild, Strayer Carbone.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church and to the UNC School of Medicine in his memory.

Online condolences may be made to www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com. Hanes-Lineberry N. Elm chapel is assisting Dr. Stafford’s family.