Carl Williford

Dr. Carl Ed Williford, 86, longtime physician in Mexia passed away November 8, 2010 in Mexia. Funeral services will be 1:00 PM, Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Brad Brittain officiating. Interment will follow in the Mexia Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m., Tuesday at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home. Carl was born December 23, 1923 in Fairfield, Texas to Carl Neil and Jean (Devoe) Williford. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1941 and attended the University of Texas for three semesters. Carl served his country for four and a half years in the U. S. Marine Corps as a Marine aviator where he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. After World War II, he attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, where he graduated in 1948. He graduated from Southwestern Medical School in 1952, served his internship at the Massachusetts Memorial Hospital in Boston in 1952 and 1953. His two years of surgery residency came at Baylor Hospital in Dallas before he moved to Mexia in 1955. Dr. Williford, whether he wanted it or not, wore the "Town's Physician" tag with distinction. He and the late Dr. C. C. Edgar, along with Dr. William Lytle Carrington, carried a pretty good load in attending the medical needs of Mexia. Dr. Williford, who retired as a fulltime physician on Feb. 12, 1987, was a partner of fellow physician Dr. C. C. Edgar, in operation of the Christoffer/Edgar Hospital on East Commerce Street, just south of First UMC. During the lengthy time of service to the ill, he was definitely linked to a bygone era - he has delivered at least 2,000 babies. He was also one of those rare breed of "docs" who made housecalls. Carl was happy to wear the tag of "Country Doctor", but kept abreast of the latest medical technology which was available to him. About 1961, Williford and Edgar spearheaded a campaign "to get everybody together," Williford said. "This was to start a drive to get a new hospital built. Those two doctors, along with the late Ilene Westmoreland, the late Nanine Simmons and several others began a big fund campaign. Carl's father, Carl Neil Williford of Fairfield, the late Reuben Sunday and the late J. I. Riddle were all instrumental in the campaign for updated medical facilities in the community. The rest is history and over the years, Mexia now has the latest in medical technology - thanks to pioneers like Williford and others. Dr. Williford served as President of the Mexia Rotary Club; President of the Mexia Youth Recreation Association and was a member of the Chamber of Commerce. In 1959, he was named as Outstanding Young Man of Mexia and served a stint as City of Mexia Health Officer. Dr. Williford was a member of the Official Board (the forerunner was the Board of Stewards) at First United Methodist Church, and was Chairman of the church's Building Committee. A former President of the Limestone County Medical Society, he was affiliated with the Texas Medical Association and the American Medical Association. His love of community and church, and a career to the service of mankind's health, extended into the local school system, in which he was extremely interested. In 1968, he was elected to the school board on which he served at least 14 years and served the board as President for a portion of that time frame. For at least 25 years, Carl was a familiar "fixture" along the sidelines of Blackcat football games, serving as Team Physician. That was before the days of official athletic trainers, such as is the case with today's football teams. He was Chief of Staff of old General Mexia Hospital, the forerunner of today's Parkview Regional; served as Medical Consultant for the local Rehabilitation Commission; and was on the "courtesy teaching staff" of the Texas Medical Branch in Houston. In 1994, Carl Ed was selected to be Christmas Parade Marshall, just another small way the community honored his longtime, dedicated efforts; and also during the 1990s he was honored by Mexia Chamber of Commerce as Citizen of the Year. Despite his super-busy schedule, Dr. Williford still found time to further the cause of Boy Scouts. He was a committee member, among other scouting avenues of work, of the Cub Scout Pack 224. Dr. Williford was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jean (Arnold) Williford; grandson, Chris Williford, brother, Graham Williford; and sister, Harriett Williford Whatley. He is survived by his children, Karen Micheletti and husband, Charlie of Fairfield, Carl A. (Buddy) Williford and wife, Donna and Glenn Williford and wife, Cindy both of Mexia; grandchildren, Carrie Herren and husband, Mark of Snook, Kevin Micheletti and wife, Nadia of Abernathy, Brandi Ellis, Shelia Wallitsch and husband, Chris, Clint Williford and wife, Amber, Lou Ann Williford, Katy Williford all of Mexia and Jean Williford of San Marcos; and 12 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Mark Herren, Chris Wallitsch, Chris Rowland, Clint Williford, Kevin Micheletti and Trey Fulmer. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Forrest, Holloway Martin, Rick Sadler and Charles "Soap" Osborne. Memorials may be made to the Chris Williford Scholarship Fund %Edward D. Jones, 505 E. Milam, Mexia, Texas 76667.