William Risley Fellows

Dr. William Risley Fellows V died after a 4-month battle with lung cancer on Monday, September 4th in Gulfport, MS. He was 87. Bill is survived by his wife, Virginia Fellows; children, Susan Oliver, (Ken) Hilton Head, SC, William R. Fellows VI, (Lou) Kingston Ontario, Lindsay Fellows (Lorraine) of Redondo Beach CA and Patrick Fellows (Jeanne) of Baton Rouge, LA. He is preceded in death by his father William R. Fellows IV and his mother Constance Garrison, of Windsor and Erieau Ontario respectively. He has 11 grandchildren who he loved dearly, Lauren Oliver, Heather Oliver, Clay Oliver, Craig Oliver, William Cody Fellows (WRFVII), Madelen Fellows, Chloe Fellows, Claudia Fellows, Larson Gauthe, Paige Fellows, and Ian Fellows. William was born on March 17th, 1930 in Windsor, Ontario Canada to WR Fellows IV and Connie. He graduated from Queens University in 1955 with a degree in medicine. He married Carol Lindsay, in 1955. They had 3 children, Susan, Billy and Lindsay. After his internship in Chicago IL, he completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan. In 1963 he began practicing in Dearborn Michigan. On April 4th, 1970, Bill and Virginia were married. In 1971, his 3rd son Patrick was born to he and Virginia. They remained married for 47½ years. In 1978, Bill, Gini and Patrick moved to Long Beach, MS, where Bill established his practice at Coastal Medical Center while servicing the newly built, Gulf Coast Community Hospital in Biloxi, MS. Bill had a lifelong love of sailing and the water. He grew up a championship choir singer and sang his way through college. His love and talent for music has been passed down to his kids and grandkids. Bill loved the practice of medicine retiring after 61 years in September of 2016 at the age of 86. He continued to volunteer at the Bethel Free Clinic in Biloxi. He was beloved by his patients, peers and coworkers. He loved his patients and considered them family. His work defined who he was and how he will be remembered. The village of Erieau, Ontario held a special place in his heart. He grew up spending his summers sailing and working in the fishing village. His mother would retire there in 1969 and Bill refurbished a small cottage there. After his mother’s death, Bill would spend a few weeks there each summer. It was his favorite place on earth. A Fellows family member has been there every year for 100+ years and his kids and grandkids look forward to carrying on this tradition. He was a past commodore of the Erieau Yacht Club. In 1986 he began working in the field of chemical dependence helping numerous individuals reach sobriety. This remained an important force in his life. A celebration of William R. Fellows life will be held Saturday, September 9th at St. Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church in Gulfport, MS. Visitation will be from 12-2pm with a service at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Bethel Free Clinic, 1650 Carrol Drive, Biloxi, MS 39531. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com