William D. Robertson

Dr. William Dixon Robertson, 83, a prominent Poplar Bluff physician died Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011 at his residence.
Dr. Robertson is survived by his wife of 58 years, Virginia Ann Abbott Robertson, formerly of Pine Bluff, Ark., and his daughters, Paige Robertson and husband, Charles Duren, Claire Dixon Robertson Landers and husband, Richard all of Poplar Bluff and Virginia Lee Robertson Little and husband, Frank of Bartlesville, Okla.; five grandchildren: Kiel McCall of Houston, Tex., Matthew McCall of Tulsa, Okla., and Kathryn Claire Landers, Sam Taylor Landers and Molly Paige Landers all of Poplar Bluff; one great-granddaughter, Madison McCall; and two nieces, Meg Benson and Scottie Benson Larson.
He was preceded in death by his son, Sam Abbott Robertson, parents, James Leland Robertson and Helen Dixon Robertson, and sister, Shirlee Benson of Kennett.
Dr. Robertson was born in Marshalltown, IA and grew up in Piggott, Ark. He attended Tulane University on a football scholarship; and graduated from Henderson University with a BA and BS in chemistry and biology. He received his medical degree from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in Little Rock, Ark. in 1955.
Dr. Robertson was first sergeant in the Army in Japan and served in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Air Force. He interned at Brooke General Army Hospital in San Antonio and served as a Captain and Medical Officer at Amarillo Air Force Base in Amarillo, Tex.
He entered private practice in Warren, Ark. Dr. Robertson moved his family to Poplar Bluff in 1961 to become a partner in McPheeters Clinic and Lucy Lee Hospital. He also practiced at Kneibert Clinic for a number of years.
Before Dr. Robertson retired from medical practice in 2000, he was a member of the Quad County Medical Society, Southern Medical Association, Arkansas Medical Association and the Missouri Academy of Family Practice. He was a Board Certified member of the American Board of Family Practice.
Dr. Robertson practiced medicine for 50 years and was honored by the Missouri Medical Society for this service.
Dr. Robertson loved his God, his family, and the practice of family medicine.
He was one of the last ""country doctors"" and frequently made housecalls 30 miles away at all hours of the day or night. He knew his patients personally and was involved with their lives; and he often delivered several generations of babies. He will be sorely missed by all whose lives he touched.
A gathering of family, friends and acquaintances will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. A memorial service will be at 12 noon Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church in Poplar Bluff with Pastor Paul White officiating.
Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 301 North Main St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901; the Poplar Bluff Public Library, 318 North Main St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901; or a charity of one's choice.
Family and friends may share an online condolence or memory at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.