Dr. Harold Walker “Hal” Elliott, MD, 58, passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at his home in Fuquay-Varina, NC.
A native of Clover, SC, Hal was the middle of three sons born to the late Dr. Bruce Carleton Elliott and Mildred Glass Elliott. He graduated from Clover High School, earned his undergraduate degree from Davidson College, and his MD from the Medical University of South Carolina School of Medicine. He completed his residency in psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
At the time of his passing, Hal was Chair of Psychiatry at Campbell University School of Medicine. He had also served on faculty at Wake Forest, East Tennessee State and Michigan State Universities, as well as having run a private practice in Wilkesboro, NC. Over the years he received many accolades for his work, particularly as a teacher of residents. As a resident at UNC, he was selected by his faculty and peers as the Diane Eklund Outstanding Resident in Psychiatry. At Wake Forest, he received the Loretta Y. Silvia Teaching Award (2007) and the American Psychiatric Association Irma Bland, MD Certificate of Excellence in Teaching Residents (2009). At East Tennessee State, he was elected by residents to receive the Resident’s Above the Call of Duty Award (2015).
A basketball player in high school, Hal remained a lifelong fan of college ball, particularly the UNC Tarheels and the Davidson Wildcats. He was known to schedule his vacation time around March Madness, just to binge-watch the games with his wife and kids.
Those who knew Hal will remember a warm and empathetic manner, which often contrasted with a wicked, dark sense of humor and a sense of the absurd. At his core, he was a shy person, but also a gifted storyteller who could entertain a crowd once you got him going. This was a skill he brought frequently to his practice and to his teaching. He was fiercely devoted to everyone in his charge, above all his family and his students.
Hal was married to Lisa Boheler Elliott for 37 years, but their relationship went back to the ninth grade, when they began dating. They were married in 1985 and raised four children together: Walker (Jasmine), Davis, Jackson and Julia.
Survivors also include Hal’s two brothers, Carl (Ina) and Britt (Kari); Carl and Ina’s children Crawford, Martha and Lyle; and Britt and Kari’s children Beata, Francis and Owen.
A memorial service will take place at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the UNC American Indian Center, CB 3457, 205 Wilson Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 or Doctors Without Borders, P. O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Online condolences may be made at www.mlfordsons.com
M. L. Ford & Sons Funeral Home, Clover, SC is serving the family of Hal Elliott.