William Henry Glaze Sr., M.D.

William Henry Glaze, Sr., M.D., was born on August 31, 1941, in Dallas, Texas to Isabel McChristian Glaze of Nacogdoches, Texas and Manuel Glaze of Huntsville, Texas. Time spent in Huntsville, Texas hunting with his father cultivated Bill’s love of hunting and the peace he found outdoors. His mother Isabel and his maternal grandmother, Carrie Mae Burks McChristian raised him together; they instilled in him the value of education and to walk with the Lord. Bill loved to learn and his continuous quest for information made him a master of many subjects.

As a youngster Bill enjoyed summers enjoyed traveling and ministering in cities in East Texas with his maternal grandfather, Pastor James McChristian, a well-known East Texas Baptist preacher. Bill was moved that Papa Jack could inspire people to follow the Lord and the peace people achieved in God’s word. Together the close-knit family shared Bill’s dream that he would serve God and his community in an impactful way. However, there was no extra money to finance a college education.

Bill joined the U. S. Marine Corp in 1958 to provide financial assistance to his family and gain practical skills. He returned to Dallas after serving his country. He owned a mechanics shop where he restored antique cars. Now married and blessed with five wonderful children, he wanted more for his family’s future and moved the family to Houston, TX and enrolled in the undergraduate program at Texas Southern University (TSU). While at TSU “Wild Bill” was initiated into the Delta Theta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.; performed as a percussionist with his friend Frank Rollins and the Untouchables and engaged in civil rights activities. This was a time of civil right marches and protest; he and his friends Mickey Leland and Barbara Jordan were leaders in the cause in Houston. Bill testified at the U.S. Senate hearing on Riots, Civil and Criminal Disorder recalling the police attack against innocent students in the dorms at TSU that occurred in May 1967.

Bill earned his Bachelor of Pharmacy from TSU in 1971. He immediately became a full-time pharmacist in Houston and began TSU’s MBA program while simultaneously applying to medical schools. Soon thereafter, he received a full scholarship to attend the University of Iowa College of Medicine in Iowa City, Iowa. Bill and his four sons moved to Iowa for a new adventure that included rigorous academics and bountiful hunting opportunities. Eventually Bill became a nationally ranked turkey hunter.

“Doc” completed medical school in 1978, married Sheila Robichaux and moved to Dallas, TX to begin his residency at Parkland. In 1982, Bill opened his private practice specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Dallas to serve low-income communities that mirrored his own to ensure they received the absolute best health care. The Dallas County Commissioners appointed him in 1985 to serve on the Board of Managers for Parkland Memorial Hospital. This appointment was a full circle moment because Bill was born in the separate but not equal negro maternity ward located in the basement of Parkland Hospital and now, he was in the board room. He was a decision maker, where he governed policy and budget administration for the entire Parkland health system, serving on the Board of Managers for four years. A mentor to many, Bill received many honors and awards for his community involvement. These accolades include but are not limited to recognition for his contributions to the Dallas Chapter of the NAACP, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce and President of C.V. Roman. He continued to serve the community by providing OB-GYN care to the underserved at the Martin Luther King Center from 1985-1987 and 2008-2012. He served on the Board of Buckner International where he guided single mothers seeking prenatal care, adoption and support. He was the Medical Director of the Medical Assistants Program for Dallas County College from 1998-2009. In 2002, he was recruited as the Director of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Care for Dallas County inmates.

“Rev Doc” was an accomplished minister and preacher. He preached his first sermon in 1974 under the guidance of Pastor J. J. Roberson of Mount Hebron Baptist Church in Houston. He reached 32˚ in the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas, Free and Accepted Masons. In 1977, he founded the Interdenominational Christian Connection Church in Iowa City. In 1978, he joined Concord Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor E. K. Baily, as an Associate Minister. With the blessings of Pastor Bailey, he joined Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in 1986 as an Associate Minister under the tutelage of Pastor Cecil Smith, Sr. He established a ministry, “Jacob’s Well” to share Christian health information. Bill served as a columnist for the “The Lantern,” a publication of the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. Impassioned by his Christian faith, Bill served on the Board of Directors for Hope Cottage. “Rev Doc’s” was most recently a member of North Dallas Bible Community Fellowship under the leadership of Pastor Leslie Smith.

Bill enjoyed life and relished his many hobbies. He rehabbed and restored Antique cars. His pride and joy were restoring his 37 Chevy. He was one of the founders of The Buffalo Hunt Club (BHC) in 1983 which provided an exclusive hunting experience with total autonomy. The BHC is still active after 40 years with great hunts, fantastic brotherhood and great friendships. He experienced the joy of being a sportsman, hunting and fishing. He owned prize winning hunting retrievers and pointers. Wild Bill’s hunting adventures included: bear hunting in Alaska; trekking to Colorado for moose; travel to Florida for turkey; tracking elk in Pennsylvania; shooting dove in Mexico; reeling in huge marlin fish in Mexico; hunting pheasant and deer in Iowa; and travel to Minnesota to hunt bear and fish with his son Chris. Bill made friends with men of the Amish and Mennonite faith and created a brotherhood through their shared love of hunting. In his adult life he began playing the saxophone.

Bill endured the ravages of Lewy Body Dementia with Parkinson for the past 3 years, courageously under the loving and diligent care of his wife Sheila and his sister Marilyn. The frequent consistent video calls, phone calls and visits from family and friends brightened his days. His suffering from Lewy Body Dementia with Parkinson cannot extinguish the depth of his impact on us and the others.

William “Bill” Henry Glaze, Sr., M.D. was a good, kind and generous person. Bill was often ministering to others offering support, encouragement and prayers. Bill was a good friend to many and will be missed. Let us praise God for the time we had with him.

After a rich and rewarding life William “Bill” Henry Glaze, Sr., M.D. departed this earthly life on April 1, 2024. Mourning his departure, but rejoicing in his homegoing are his beloved wife of almost 46 years, Sheila, his children: Christopher Glaze (Nancy), Becky Glaze Blackmon (Kenneth), William Glaze, Jr. (LaKisha), Manuel Glaze (Rochelle), Richard David Glaze and Veronica Glaze, Sister, Marilyn Tarver, his former wife Doris Scott (mother of Becky); his former wife Juanita Williams (mother of Chris, Bill Jr., Manuel and Richard), thirteen Grandchildren, Alex Glaze, Asia Glaze, Lydia Wade, Constance Wade, Rebecca Wade, Kenneth Blackmon, Jr., Joshua Glaze, Nicole Glaze, William Glaze, III (Calie), Sydni Glaze, Peyton Glaze, Richard Glaze, Jr., Jordan Glaze, Nephew, Roderick Elder, Niece, Nik-Tanza Tarver Buggs (Darrell), three Bonus Grandchildren, eleven Great Grandchildren, one Great-Great Grandson and a of host special friends and colleagues, devoted clergy and extended family, too many to mention. We are forever grateful for the time we have had with him. Bill was preceded in death by many love ones; Mother, Isabel McChristian Glaze Jones; Grandmother, Carrie Burks McChristian (Mom Moo); Father, Manuel Glaze; Grandfather, Reverend James McChristian; his former wife Marilyn Gail Lloyd Glaze and Granddaughter, Miriam Wade.

We extend our deepest gratitude for your presence and support during this time of grief and remembrance.

In lieu of flowers or food the family requests tax deductible donations be made to Texas Southern University in honor of William H. Glaze, Sr., M.D. via this link or mail a check to the address below. Please designate that the donation is made in honor of William H. Glaze, Sr., M.D. so that we can thank you for your generosity. Please email us at [email protected] for further details if needed. https://giving.tsu.edu/2020/10/01/emergency-student-scholarship/

Texas Southern University Foundation

Dept. 41

PO Box 4458

Houston, TX 77210

The family wishes to extend sincere thanks and deep gratitude for the many expressions of sympathy and the acts of kindness and consideration shown in their hour of bereavement.

The wake is scheduled for Friday, April 5, 2024, from 6 PM to 8 PM at Rolling Oaks Funeral Home, 400 Freeport Pkwy, Coppell, TX 75019.

The funeral will take place on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 11 AM at Rolling Oaks Funeral Home, 400 Freeport Pkwy, Coppell, TX 75019, and it will be live streamed for those unable to attend.

The Burial service will be approximately at 3 PM at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 8100 Fireside Dr, Dallas TX 75217. Please note, there won't be a funeral procession with a police escort, so you will need to arrange your own transportation to the cemetery.