It is with deep sorrow and profound love we share, William Frederick McGuirt, Sr, born November 1, 1941 in Monroe, North Carolina to the late Wilson Thomas and Ina Williams McGuirt, peacefully passed away Sunday, January 26, 2025 at the age of 83. A true, eastern North Carolinian, Fred graduated from Lumberton High School where he developed a firm foundation and hunger for knowledge. He attended Davidson College where he was a member of the football team and elected Permanent Class President for the Class of 1964. His academic journey took him to The Bowman Gray School of Medicine, where he was named a Reynolds Scholar and was inducted into the AOA Honor Society, graduating in 1968. After serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Benning, Georgia, Fred completed his residency in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Iowa, before returning home to practice in North Carolina at Atrium’s Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
Fred leaves behind a professional legacy of healing hands, medical advancements, and dedicated service to his patients, peers, and students as a well respected physician and distinguished professor. He was humble, thoughtful, and never sought the spotlight. He was a member of the WFU Medical School faculty for 31 dedicated years, Chair of the Otolaryngology Department for eight years prior to serving as an emeritus faculty member and then, working at the Veterans Administration Hospital. Over the course of his career, he published over 100 articles, book chapters, and several books in the field. Fred was an inspiring teacher, touching the lives of many students and residents at Wake Forest. He held leadership roles in multiple national organizations, including President of the American Laryngological Society, President of the American Broncho- Esophagological Association, Chair of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, and examiner for the American Board of Otolaryngology. His passion for education and genuine care for his patients was evident in all he did, especially in establishing the nationally recognized Head and Neck Surgical Oncology program at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist.
His love for the outdoors, travel, and Wake Forest deeply influenced his hobbies and free time. He cherished time spent on the family farm in Lumberton, fishing in Alaska, hunting any place a bird might fly, traveling to six continents with his wife, Kay. Family beach trips each summer and cheering on the Deacons every chance possible were also highlights. Fred was a lifetime learner, always with a book in hand.
Of the numerous professional accolades and honors he received in his lifetime, the legacy he would say he was most proud of is that of his family. He and his late wife, Kitty, created a family with strong traditions and steadfast bonds. The profound influence of hard work, humility, and integrity Fred had on his three children and twelve grandchildren is truly an unwavering and remarkable gift they each realize and cherish. Fred is survived by his wife, Kay; his three children, William Frederick McGuirt Jr. (Robin), Patricia McGuirt Faircloth (Scott), and Wyman Thomas McGuirt (Courtney); his eleven grandchildren; Kay’s children, Currin White (Will) and Scott Evans (Kristen) along with her six grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his late wife, Catherine “Kitty” Scarborough McGuirt; his grandson, Collin Alexander McGuirt; and his two brothers, Tom Douglas McGuirt and James Lee McGuirt.
Fred’s humility, grace, kindness, and loving spirit will forever remain in our hearts. He was loved “to the moon and back.”
A memorial service to celebrate Fred’s life will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 300 North Cherry Street in Winston-Salem on Friday, February 7th at 3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
The McGuirt Family MD Scholarship Fund, Wake Forest School of Medicine, PO Box 571021, 1920 West First Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, or online at wakehealth.edu/give or First Presbyterian Church, 300 North Cherry Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, or a charity of your choice.