"Bill" George William Harper
George William "Bill" Harper III, M.D., 72, of Bridgewater, died Wednesday, February 14, 2024, in hospice care at home, surrounded by loving family members, after a brief struggle with esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Bill was born on May 30, 1951, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital, a son of Joyce Garber Harper Damiano and the late George William Harper, Jr. His growing up years were spent in Rockingham County, Richmond, VA, and Cincinnati, OH. He was president and a proud member of the T.A.H.S. Class of 1969. From 1969-71, he attended the College of William and Mary, then transferred to Bridgewater College, where he graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in General Science in 1973. He studied medicine at the Medical College of Virginia, VCU (1973-77), followed by a family practice residency in Blackstone, Virginia. He dedicated his life to providing quality medical care through several family practice groups, and later with eldercare in area nursing homes and hospice care.
On May 26, 1973, Bill married Dorothy Strate Harper, and they shared 50 years, building a strong family. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
Bill possessed a kind heart, a keen mind, and a curious soul that allowed him to lead his life with grace and generosity. He served his community as a dedicated family physician who tirelessly provided patient care grounded in compassion, respect, and a deep understanding of medical science. Outside of his medical practice, Bill volunteered at the Harrisonburg/Rockingham Free Clinic and was a long-time member of the Kiwanis Club, fulfilling his calling to make the world a better place through service. Bill was an active, dedicated member of First Church of the Brethren, where he served as Adult Sunday School teacher, deacon, member of the choir, member of the handbell choir, and Church Board Chair. For many years the family attended the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in cities across the U.S. A lifelong seeker of knowledge, Bill was an avid reader and actively sought out engaging movies and documentaries. He had a lifelong love of music of all kinds and had it around him at every opportunity. He also enjoyed the natural world through hiking, skiing, gardening, bird watching, golfing, and body-surfing the waves on annual beach trips.
Bill was preceded in death by his father, his stepmother, Carole Harper, father- and mother-in-law, Martin and Margaret Strate, sister-in-law, Kay Harper, brother-in-law, Ken Bahn, and great niece, Margaret Palmer.
He is survived by his wife Dorothy; his son and daughter-in-law, James Michael (Jim) Harper, M.D., and Lisa Harper Chang, of Huntsville, AL, his grandsons, Liam Harper Chang and Dylan Harper Chang; his daughter Margaret Joyce (Meg) Harper and her partner Levon Durr, of Eureka, CA; his mother and father-in-law, Joyce and Joe Damiano, of Roanoke; his brother, Michael Harper, of Crockett, TX, former sister-in-law, Lucinda Bailey Harper, of Harrisonburg, his sister and brother-in-law, Stephanie (Harper) and R. L. Potts, of Astoria, OR, his sister Cynthia Harper and her partner, Ian Woodward, of Roanoke. Harper family nieces and nephews include Heather (Harper) and Michael Palmer and children Fenrir, Ozzy, Genevieve, and Eleanor, of Harrisonburg; Michael Harper II and his fiancée Alma Sierra, of Austin, TX; Matthew Harper and his wife Micah Doak and son Benji, of Houston, TX; and Amelia Potts, of Astoria, OR.
Bill would likely tease, "this list is getting a bit long," but we'll carry on, as that's the proper thing to do in an obituary, and Bill dearly loved his in-laws as well. They include his sister-in-law, Dr. Mary Strate Bahn, of Penn Laird; his sister- and brother-in-law Sarah (Strate) and Bob Rees, of Harrisonburg; and his sister- and brother-in-law Ann (Strate) and Kimball Egge, of Roanoke. Strate family nieces and nephews include Martin Rees, of Los Angeles, CA; Rachel (Rees) and husband Michael Kalman, their daughter Rees, and another daughter to be born in April, all of Rockingham; Isaac Bahn and Sophie Bahn, of Penn Laird. He was also held in beloved community by countless cousins, friends and medical colleagues who benefited from both Bill's kind heart and wicked sense of humor over the decades.
The family would like to thank Dr. Ali, Dr. Prichard, and all the staff at SRMH Hahn Cancer Center, all the folks at First Choice Hospice, Pastor Marty Doss, Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, and the many, many relatives and friends who have supported them with generous care and kindness over the past month.
Pastor Marty Doss will lead a memorial service at First Church of the Brethren, Harrisonburg, on Saturday, February 17, at 3:00. A brief catered reception will be held at the church following the service. The service will also be livestreamed at https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/97943. Online condolences may be offered at www.johnsonfs.com. If unable to attend the service or watch it, Bill would love for you to do something kind for another person, or at least say something clever that will make them chuckle, smile, or laugh out loud.
In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to First Church of the Brethren, 315 S. Dogwood Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22801; Heifer International (www.heifer.org); Blue Ridge Free Clinic (www.blueridgefreeclinic.org); or Blue Ridge Area Food Bank (www.brafb.org).
