Dr. William Scurlock

Dr. William Ross “Bill” Scurlock, 85, of El Dorado passed away Saturday, March 23 at the John R. Williamson Hospice House. He was born July 18, 1933 to Dr. John D. Scurlock and Willie Mae Fincher Scurlock in Waldo.

Bill graduated from Waldo High School in 1951. He attended Hendrix College where he played on the basketball team. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1955 then attended University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock where he earned his medical degree in 1960. His professional training was done at Confederate Memorial Hospital in Shreveport where he met and married a beautiful surgical nurse, Barbara. He completed his surgical residency in 1965 and joined the practice of Dr. D.M. Yocum and C.E. Tommy in El Dorado. Soon after, he was called to the Army where he was assigned to the Medical Corps at Fort McClellan in Anniston, Alabama, then a year later to Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia. He received an honorary discharge in September 1969 when he returned to his practice. In 1972 he was appointed Chief of Staff at Warner Brown Hospital and served on the Board of Directors from 1972 – 1974. He settled into an active practice at the South Arkansas Surgical Clinic, while also consulting in hospitals in the surrounding area. He volunteered in several surgical missions, most notably in Honduras and Haiti. He also served as attending surgeon at the Migrant Workers Clinic in Hermitage. He retired from surgical practice in 1995. Throughout his career, Bill always tried to touch everyone’s life with care, compassion, and concern.

Bill was an active member of First United Methodist Church where he was a long time Sunday School teacher, Lay Leader, and Annual Conference delegate. He has served in many leadership capacities in the church. He enjoyed participating with United Methodist Men and Men’s Fraternity. He was a lifetime member of the American Cancer Society and up until recently, had served on the Board of Directors for Southern Arkansas University Foundation. In 2002, Bill received the Humanitarian Award by the Hendrix Alumni Association for “significantly improving the quality of life in the world through his service and dedication to humanity.”

Bill enjoyed bass fishing on area lakes, watching ball games, golf, and writing. He has published several articles including “A Surgeon’s Field of Dreams” and “A Mustard Tree Grows in Honduras.” Book publications are his Memoirs entitled, “Don Guillermo” and a daily devotional, “The Exam Room.”

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Barbara. Survivors include three children Dr. David Ross Scurlock of Atlanta, GA, Anne Scurlock Alderson of El Dorado, Dr. John Preston Scurlock of Little Rock. Seven grandchildren, Lane Alderson, William Alderson, John Ross Scurlock, Caroline Scurlock, Michael Scurlock, Alexa Scurlock and Eric Ross Scurlock.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 28, 2019 in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, El Dorado. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary with Dr. David Bush officiating. Burial will follow at Waldo Cemetery under the direction of Young's Funeral Directors.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Hill Street, El Dorado, AR 71730, The Dr. and Mrs. Bill Scurlock Scholarship at Hendrix College, The Dr. and Mrs. Bill Scurlock Ethics Scholarship at UAMS, The Dr. and Mrs. Bill Scurlock Athletic Endowment at Southern Arkansas University, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Arkansas Methodist Foundation.

An online guest registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com