Dr. William "Bill" Foree Jr.

Dr. William Edwin Foree Jr., MD, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2025. Born on November 24, 1931, and raised in Athens, Tennessee, He was the son of the late William E. Foree (Dr. Ed Foree) and Lorine Williams Foree. Bill led a life marked by devotion, intellect, and compassion.

He graduated from TMI, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Tennessee Medical School. Following medical school, he pursued advanced training in surgical pathology at New England Deaconess Hospital and Harvard University, and in urology at The Medical College of Virginia and Kings County Hospital.

While training in Richmond, Bill met the love of his life, Carolyn Thomas. They married in 1963, traveled the world together, and spent two years in Brooklyn, New York, before returning to Athens in 1965. There, Bill established a urology practice and raised four children. He also served as McMinn County’s Chief Medical Examiner, Chief of Staff at Athens Regional Medical Center, and as a board member for Prime Medical Services.

A lifelong member of Keith Memorial United Methodist Church, Bill was deeply committed to his faith and community. He was also an instrument-rated pilot and a proud member of Phi Sigma Kappa and Phi Rho Sigma fraternities.

Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carolyn Thomas Foree; his four children: Rev. Cheryl Foree Gans (Andrew) of Houston, TX; William Edwin Foree III (Amanda) of Birmingham, AL; Carey Foree of Athens, TN; and Christy Foree Ricketts (Shelby) of Dallas, TX; and six beloved grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Eleanor Foree Peebles, and two nephews.

Bill will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to medicine, his love for family, and his deep affection for his community and hometown of Athens, Tennessee . In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Foree’s honor may be made to Keith Memorial United Methodist Church.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:15 AM Friday September 26, 2025 at Keith Memorial United Methodist Church with Visitation immediately following the service at the Church.  Those unable to attend may send condolences to www.laycock-hobbs.com/obituaries/Sarah-Martin.  Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home in Athens is in charge of the arrangements.