William "Bill" Varner M.D.

William “Bill” Varner, M.D., a beloved physician and longtime resident of The Woodlands, Texas, passed away April 17, 2021 at the age of 59. Bill was born on February 5, 1962 in San Antonio, Texas, the only child to William and Joan Varner.

Bill graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of San Antonio in 1984. He graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas with a Medical Doctorate in 1988. He completed his Internship and Anesthesiology Residency at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, Illinois in 1991. Bill was only one of two candidates in the world selected for a Cardiovascular Anesthesiology Fellowship at the Texas Heart Institute under the renowned Dr. Denton Cooley in 1992. He received his Board Certification in Anesthesiology in 1994. After his medical training, he pursued and completed a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas – Clear Lake in 1997.

Dr. Varner began his employment at Greater Houston Anesthesiology now known at US Anesthesia Partners in 1993 and served on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee for his group. He was a shareholder in that organization since 1995.

His tenure at the Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands, Texas began in 1997 with many leadership roles including Chairman of Anesthesiology, President of the Medical Staff, and the youngest member to serve on the Memorial Hermann Board of Directors. In 2001, he was voted and honored as Physician of the Year. Since 2005, Dr. Varner has been the Director of the Memorial Hermann Surgery Center in the Woodlands. He also served on the Clinical Government Board for USAP oversight for outpatient surgery centers. Dr. Varner was an extremely dedicated Physician who enjoyed his medical practice and was highly respected by all his colleagues. For years, Dr. Varner donated his time and resources by serving poor communities in Guatemala through the non-profit group Faith in Practice. He was passionate about helping others throughout his entire life.

Dr. Varner was a loving and devoted husband of 32 years to his wife, Terri. Bill loved Terri more than life itself. They were a team, best friends, and true soul mates. They traveled around the world and visited all seven continents.

Dr. Varner was a gifted physician, a loyal friend, and a respected leader who always brought the best out in those around him. Bill had a God given gift and spent the last 33 years dedicated to his patients, the community, and fellow medical professionals.

Dr. Varner was a meaningful part of so many lives. His quick wit, always comforting words, impeccable moral character, and infectious personality will never be forgotten. He truly was one of a kind and the positive impact he had on those around him will live on. To know him was to love him and if you were lucky enough to know him, your life was better because of it. As we pay tribute to a life well lived, we hope to remember greatness in this time of pain and sorrow.

Dr. Varner was an avid car collector. Cars were his passion, especially lavish luxury automobiles. He was a very adventurous individual. He climbed the Grand Teton Mountain in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on July 4, 2014. In 2010, he traveled to Olympia, Greece and completed his first 26.5 mile marathon. He participated in three MS-150 events from Houston to Austin. He loved to sky dive and he loved the Cayman Islands. His paradise home away from home.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Terri, of The Woodlands, Texas; his proud father, William Varner of San Antonio, Texas; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jim and Ruth Meeks; brothers-in-law, Steve Meeks and Mike Meeks; nieces, Lauren Meeks and Katie Meeks, and great niece, Evelyn Wilson, all of Nederland, Texas, and numerous other friends and family. He is preceded in death by his devoted mother, Joan Varner, and his uncle, Bobby Varner.

The celebration of life and greatness of William “Bill” Varner, M.D. will be held on Friday, April 30, 2021 at the WoodsEdge Community Church in the Pavilion. (25333 Gosling Rd. Spring, TX 77389). A visitation of friends and family will begin at 10:00 AM with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM. Pallbearers honoring Dr. Varner will be Dr. Jason Balette, Dr. Jimmy Field, Dr. Paul Gill, Dr. Huy Pham, Bob Wortham, and Taza Zohar. Honorary pallbearers will be William J. Varner, Jim Meeks, Mike Meeks, and Steve Meeks.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Faith in Practice: https://donate.faithinpractice.org/give/52453/#!/donation/checkout 7500 Beechnut Street, Suite 208, Houston, Texas 77074

or

Fairytail Endings Animal Rescue Organization: https://www.fairytailendingsrescue.com/donate-1 or 6405 Creekbend Dr., Houston, Texas 77096.