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BATH, N.C. — Dr. William Murchison “Bill” Monroe, 85, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at his home in Bath, NC.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 20, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath.  Enichment of cremated remains will follow in the church columbarium.  The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at Wilkerson Funeral Home in Greenville.

A native of Sanford, NC Bill was born to the late John and Estelle Johnson Monroe on September 11, 1939.  He earned a BA in History as well as his medical school degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He completed his residency of Ophthalmology at McPherson Hospital in Durham, NC.

Bill entered the U.S. Army, and he and his wife, Blanche, were initially stationed in Hawaii at Tripler Army Hospital, and soon thereafter reassigned to 2/27^th Infantry, 25^th Army Infantry Division as they prepared for deployment to Vietnam.  He became the sole medical doctor for that army battalion.  During his service in Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star for Merit, the Combat Medical Badge, and the medical unit he commanded was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for their service to the native South Vietnamese communities.

After completing his military service in 1967, Bill and Blanche moved their family to Greenville, NC where he practiced Ophthalmology at the Greenville Eye Clinic for almost 40 years.  He also volunteered his time as the ophthalmologist for East Carolina University athletics.  Always eager to learn more and stay abreast of the latest advancements in the field of Ophthalmology, Bill received numerous certifications, lectured as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the ECU School of Medicine, and published numerous medical papers.

In his earlier years Bill enjoyed spending time with his family, playing tennis, shelling at the beach, serving in the community and was an avid sports car enthusiast. He and Blanche relocated to Bath in 1994 where they created many happy memories. He enjoyed his time in retirement boating, reading and becoming an expert in astronomy and photography.  Bill was an amazing husband, father and grandfather. He will be remembered for his acceptance and attention to others, his humor and his gentle kindness.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his wife of more than 57 years, Blanche Kammer Monroe in 2019.

He is survived by: Son, William Murchison (Will) Monroe, Jr. and wife, Helen Thomas, of Queensland, Australia; Daughters, Christina Monroe Teague and husband, Nelson, of Charlottesville, VA and Melissa Monroe Anderson and husband, Martin, of Greenville; Grandchildren, Merritt Anderson, Anna-Gray Anderson, Will Teague, Caroline Teague, Kate Monroe, Alex Monroe and Rachel Monroe; and older brother and best friend, John Stewart Monroe, Jr. of Wilmington.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the East Carolina University School of Nursing in support of the Dr. William M. Monroe Medic to Nurse Fund.

Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com.