Dr. Walter Lee Bourland Jr.

Lee was born in Laurel, MS to Dr. and Mrs. Walter Lee Bourland. He was the oldest of four children and was raised in Tupelo, MS where he graduated from Tupelo High in 1967. He attended Vanderbilt University where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Many lifelong friendships were cemented during this time at Vanderbilt, and he graduated in 1971. Lee was accepted to medical school at the University of Mississippi, following in his father’s footsteps to become a physician. He graduated with honors (AOA) and elected to pursue a surgical residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, TX, serving as chief resident in 1980.

After completing his training, he started in private practice in general surgery in Jackson, MS. He was recruited back to Dallas and joined the faculty at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. He started his own private practice in general surgery and served as the chairman of the Department of Surgery. His true passion, however, was in treating breast cancer. He parlayed this passion into creating the multi-disciplinary breast cancer center at the Margot Perot Center at Presbyterian Hospital. As the Director of the program, he involved doctors, nurses, and caregivers of all specialties to put the best interests of breast cancer patients in the limelight. Lee spearheaded an annual conference that brought together national academics and researchers in the field. He loved the mission of educating patients, nurses, and other people in the community. In 2006, he joined Texas Oncology where he continued to lead Presbyterian’s breast cancer initiatives until his retirement in 2024. Frequently honored as one of D Magazine’s best doctors, he was revered by both patients and colleagues, and his legacy will live on in the thousands of lives he saved.

Lee was an avid reader and loved his book club. He was encyclopedic in his knowledge and loved researching the history behind literature. He spent hours crafting the perfect, thoughtful book review. His grandchildren Ella, Caroline, Walter, Margo, Julia, James, and Lily were his pride and joy. They inspired in him an appreciation for carpool and bounce houses. A close second love for Lee were the ponies. Lee brought all the intensity of his intellect to studying the racing forms. His book reviews were usually better than his trifecta choices. Lee truly loved his family and will be remembered fondly.

Lee is survived by his wife of more than 30 years Kim, his sons Peter (Melna), Campbell (Chrissy), daughter Claire (Blake), stepson Ryan Connors (Ashley), and seven grandchildren. He is also survived by his two siblings John Tilden Bourland (Ann) and Amanda Kathleen Dalton (Frank). He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Dr. Walter Lee Bourland and Mrs. Martha Wright “Tommie” Bourland of Tupelo, and his sister Elizabeth Bourland Jolly (David). In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in his memory. A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, at Sparkman Hillcrest at 11:00 a.m.

Condolences for the Bourland family may be left at www.sparkman-hillcrest.com