Obituary of William Lee Graham

Dr William (Bill) Lee Graham,88, of Morgantown, WV (formerly of Williamstown,WV, Oakland and Baltimore, MD), passed away Saturday, August 9, 2014 at his residence. Dr. Graham was born in Crellin, MD, on December 18, 1925, the son of the late Senator Spencer William Graham and the late Margaret (Maggie) Mae Meyers Graham. Dr. William L. Graham received his B. A. degree in business administration from Marietta College in 1948 and his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree in 1953 from the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. During his practice of dentistry in Williamstown, WV, 1953-55, he received an appointment to the dental faculty of the Department of Oral Diagnosis at his alma mater. With this background, he was then selected to organize the Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology and inaugurated the clinic operation of the West Virginia University School of Dentistry in 1959. He was Professor and Department Chairman of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Director of Dental Student Admissions and Director of Information Services which included the design, development, implementation and launch of the first Online Treatment and Information Control System (ODONTICS), and served as Associate Dean at the WVU School of Dentistry. Dr. Graham served as a member and the chairman of the WVU Faculty Senate and past member of the WVU Executive Committee. He was past President of the international Organization of Teachers of Oral Diagnosis, past Chairman of the Council on Oral Medicine, past Chairman of the Council on Clinic Administration. Dr. Graham was a diplomate of the American Board of Oral Medicine, a Fellow of the American College of Dentists and is past President of Alpha Beta Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental honor society. He also served on the WVU Athletic Council. Over his distinguished 32 year career at WVU he authored many articles, wrote curriculum, lectured internationally, won many national awards and upon his retirement he received the title of Professor Emeritus. After his retirement, Dr. Graham served as the WV Fraternal Coordinator for the Woodmen of The World. In his 10 years with this position he led the Annual Youth and Senior Encampments, supported all the Woodmen Lodges across WV and won national awards for his monthly fraternal newsletters. He was Past President of the WV Woodmen Jurisdiction and the West Virginia Fraternal Congress and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement for over 60 years of fraternal service to the community. He served as President of the local American Cancer Society, Cheat Lake PTA and other organizations. He was an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention. In his free time Bill enjoyed family camping, deer and bear hunting, fishing trips, riding to the hounds, a love of poetry and family game nights. He enjoyed WVU sports and later tailgating with family in front of his big screen TV. Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Mildred (Midge) Biser Graham; children Spencer William Graham, II and wife Anita of Morgantown, Janice Graham Humble and husband Brett of Morgantown, and Christine Graham Toney and husband Steve of Elkins; grandchildren Maggie and husband Lt. Kris Warner, Jessica DeAngelis, Ashley Humble Meyer and husband Matthew, Wesley, Daniel, Hannah and Micah Toney. He is also survived by a brother, Wayne Graham and wife Weasie of Omaha, NE and Elaine Marple and husband John of Deep Creek Lake, MD. He leaves behind his granddog and constant companion, Paolo. In addition to his parents he was proceeded in death by his sister, Janice Graham Hutchinson on August 7th, 2014. Cremation services will be provided by Hasting Funeral Home. Friends and family will be received at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, 317 Elmhurst St., Morgantown on Saturday August 23rd from 10 am until time of service at 12:00 noon with Pastors Douglas Miller and David Goodin officiating. Inurnment will follow at a later date at the National Cemetery in Grafton, WV with military honors for his service in the US Navy during World War II when he enlisted at the age of 17 on Pearl Harbor Day. Memorial contributions may be made in Dr. Graham’s memory to Hospice Care, 3363 University Ave. Morgantown, WV 26505 or to Gideon’s International, PO BOX 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800 www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.