William Grizzard

William Samuel Grizzard, M.D., 91, of Petersburg, died Monday, February 18, 2008. He was a native of Southampton County born the son of the late Robert Lee and Elizabeth M. Grizzard. Dr. Grizzard was a graduate of Virginia Tech and the Medical College of Virginia. He later served his internship at Norfolk General Hospital. After serving his internship Dr. Grizzard served as a Captain in the U.S. Army as a Battalion Surgeon in the 333 Infantry Regiment and served three campaigns in Rhineland, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and Central Europe. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Combat Medical Badge, and Occupation of Germany World War II Victory Medal. After his service in the military, Dr. Grizzard served his residency at the Medial College of Virginia from 1947 to 1950. In 1949 he was married to Ruth C. Lister and they later moved to Petersburg in 1950 where he began to practice as an OB-GYN. He was the first board certified OB-GYN to practice south of the James River. He joined the staff of Petersburg General Hospital (later SRMC) where he practiced for over 35 years. He was a member of the Medical Society of VA, the AMA and the South Atlantic Assoc. of OB-GYN. He was President of the OB-GYN Society of VA 1971-1972. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years Ruth Lister Grizzard and a son Samuel Lister Grizzard. He is survived by a daughter, Sheila G. Nolen of Red Bank, NJ.; two sons, William Samuel Grizzard, Jr., M.D. of Petersburg and John Dallas Grizzard, M.D. of Midlothian; grandchildren, Patrick, Michael and Kevin Grizzard; Jeremy and John Nolen; Sam, Courtney and Robert Grizzard. A service will be held in Dr. Grizzardâ??s memory at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 21st at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service with Fr. Steve officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday night from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be to the Ware-Dunn Society, P.O. Box 980034, Richmond, VA 23298, Attn: Nancy Veney. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .