Greenville’s Dr. Duane Williams retires
Published 10:28 am Tuesday, October 4, 2022
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Wednesday marked the closing of a long and successful chapter in the life and career of Greenville pediatrician, Dr. Duane Williams.
After 50 years of dedicated service to the children of this community, Williams announced his retirement Sept. 28 during a celebration at the Regional Medical Clinic on North College St., where Greenville Mayor Dexter McLendon presented the doctor with a key to the city and an official proclamation.
McLendon declared Sept. 28 of each year “Dr. Duane Williams Day” as community members in attendance applauded Williams for his service.
The proclamation outlined many noteworthy areas of impact Williams made in his contributions to Greenville. According to the proclamation, Williams worked as a long-time beloved physician at Regional Medical Central in Greenville for three decades and touched the lives of thousands of young children, from birth to 21 years old in his role as pediatrician for 50 years.
“Dr. Williams grew up in Alabama, but moved to Louisiana with his parents, where he found the love of pediatrics,” McLendon read from the proclamation. “Upon returning from Vietnam, he changed his mind from being a heart surgeon to a pediatrician. He liked kids best.”
The proclamation stated Dr. Williams spent 17 years practicing pediatrics in Louisiana before moving to Butler County in 1989.
“Dr. Williams’ love for the children kept him coming to work each day,” McLendon read. “His patience, dedication, professionalism, and love of children are trademarks of his life’s work and the aspects that have endeared him to many …”
“Dr. Williams’ fan club covers generations of grateful Butler Countians as evidenced by the hundreds of children’s photos posted on his office walls of those he has treated over the years … “Those of us who have had the pleasure and honor to work closely with Dr. Williams will miss him more than he will ever know.”
McLendon presented Williams with the proclamation plaque.
“Thank you,” Williams said. “You made me a home. You make me feel at home, and I really appreciated that. This is my home and you are my family. And I love you so very much. God bless you, and I thank you.”
Williams also received a large picture of himself holding a baby. The picture, surrounded by a wide white mat, included congratulatory messages and signatures from several dozen people.
McLendon shook the doctor’s hand and stepped back to allow all of Williams’ well-wishers to come forward and congratulate him.
Light refreshments covered a table set up in front of the windows.
People milled around, sharing their stories of Williams with each other.
“We have been blessed to have him as a doctor, as my own kids’ doctor,” said Terry Hester. We’re lucky here in Greenville to have had him here for so long.”
