William Hall Preston

William Hall Preston Jr. M.D., of Booneville, MS passed away April 23, 2018 at his residence. He was born in Nashville, TN on August 31, 1932 to the late William Hall and Nancy Elizabeth Roebuck Preston. In Nashville, Dr. Preston attended Peabody Demonstration School (now the University School of Nashville) where he excelled in baseball, football, and basketball and was class president in his junior and senior years. After high school he went to Peabody College. In 1954 he graduated from Baylor University in Waco, TX where he received a bachelor's degree. He then went on to attend the University Of Tennessee School Of Medicine in Memphis, TN where he received his M.D. in 1959. William served his internship in 1960 on the George Washington University Service at D.C. General Hospital in Washington, D.C. From 1961 to 1964 he was an OBGYN resident at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, TN. He then went on to Case Western Reserve University Hospital in 1964 where he was a special resident in obstetric anesthesia. Dr. Preston practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology for 54 years in Booneville, MS. He brought thousands of babies into the world and cared for countless patients from his city and the surrounding area. He truly loved the practice of medicine. He was a 40 year board member of Baptist Memorial Hospital, an institution that was dear to his heart for his entire career. William served on the executive committee from 1970 to 1996 and as chairman from 1980-81 and from 1987-88. He was the first board chairman of the Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences from 1995 to 2002. An avid member of the Rotary Club since January of 1956, he had perfect attendance for 50 years. He served in multiple roles over the years, including club president and district governor. He received the honor of being named a Paul Harris Fellow and also named to the Rotary International Hall of Fame. He was a champion for public education in his community. He served on the Board of Trustees for Tupelo Symphony and was an advisor and volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Booneville where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and past president of the choir. Visitation is scheduled from 11:00 A.M. — 1:00 P.M. Monday April 30, 2018 at First Baptist Church in Booneville. A celebration of William Hall Preston Jr.'s life will be held at 1:00 P.M April 30, 2018 at First Baptist Church officiated by Bill Sherman. Pallbearers include James Grantham, Anderson Preston, Edward Hill, M.D., John Stanford, Brad Walden, Ann Floyd, Jason Nix, Frank Gattuso, and Billy Smart. Honorary pallbearers include Tommy Alexander, M.D., Swan Burrus, M.D., the Rotary Club of Booneville, and the medical staff of Baptist Memorial Hospital – Booneville. Interment will follow at Booneville Cemetery. Those left to honor William's memory include his wife of 60 years: Jane Anderson Preston of Booneville, MS; Son: William Anderson Preston M.D. and wife Kimberly of Jackson, TN; Brother: John Preston and wife Sara of Farmington, NM; grandchildren: William Anderson Preston Jr. and Abigail Paige Preston; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister: Miriam Preston Collins and husband Dr. Perryman Collins. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Baptist Memorial Healthcare Foundation 350 N. Humphreys Blvd Memphis, TN 38120, the Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences 1003 Monroe Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, Baylor University – Waco, TX 1311 S. 5th Street, Waco, TX 76798, or Bill Glass Behind The Walls 1101 S. Cedar Ridge Duncanville, TX 75137. Magnolia Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of William Hall Preston Jr. M.D. Online condolences may be expressed at magnoliafuneralhome.net.