Dr. William Gene Bernhardt died peacefully on July 20, 2021, at the age of 95.
Bernhardt was born near Hitchcock on June 27, 1926. He grew up on his father's farm where he performed his daily chores, rode his horse, Ribbon, and learned to play the piano, becoming accomplished enough to play on an Oklahoma City radio show. His aspirations reached beyond his father's farm. He admired local physicians and longed for a position that would allow him to help others and become a prominent member of the community. He was an excellent student with a superb memory. When he was only sixteen, he started college at Southwestern in Weatherford. Because the US had entered World War II, he found himself one of the few men on campus and attracted a lot of attention, at one time being named "Mr. Southwestern." He served in the US Navy and later retired a Major in the National Guard.
While working as a pharmacist's apprentice in a Weatherford drugstore, Bernhardt met his future bride, Theta Juan Sickles, who came into the store one day with her mother for a Coke float. Before long they were dating and about a year later they married. On June 30 of this year, he and his wife celebrated their 73rd anniversary.
Bernhardt graduated from Southwestern with B.S. degrees in Chemistry, Biological Sciences, and Pharmacy. He worked as a pharmacist, but still harbored his dream of becoming a physician. After several years' work, he saved enough money to enter medical school at the University of Oklahoma, a financially risky but ambitious move. This decision marked a big change for the entire family. Bernhardt liked to tell friends he started medical school, his wife started teaching in Midwest City, his daughter Michel started kindergarten, and his daughter Valerie started nursery school—all on the same day.
Bernhardt graduated from medical school in 1958 and began practicing as a family physician in Midwest City. He also performed surgery and obstetrics. He said that the achievement he was most proud of was that he had brought more than 2500 babies into the world. He practiced for many years and became a prominent, well-respected, trusted citizen.
Bernhardt held many community-service positions, including Chairman for the Board of Regents at Rose State College and President of the local PTA. He was named Oklahoma Family Physician of the Year in 1986 and was a runner-up for National Family Physician of the Year. He received awards from the University of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians, and the School of Medicine Alumni Association. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus at Southwestern, where he and his wife founded a prize to reward outstanding teachers. He also served as Chief of Staff for Midwest City Regional Hospital. In 2015 he and his wife received the Rose State College Tower Award.
Bernhardt continued practicing medicine until 2012, finally retiring at the age of 86.
"Dr. Bill" will be remembered fondly by his patients, friends, and family as a good man with a good heart who led an exemplary life and inspired many. His easy smile and twinkling eyes quickly put people at ease. His life is a testament to courage, to the benefits of hard work, and to the value of blazing your own trail and creating the life you want to have.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Bertha, his sister Georgene, and his brother Dr. Keith, who practiced medicine with him for many years, but he is survived by two brothers, Dr. Samuel (Geri) of Oklahoma City, Jerald (Ellen) of Edmond, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his wife, Theta Juan, and his four children, Michel (Dr. Braden) Cross in Norman, Valerie (Bill) Lorenz in Norman, William II (Lara) in Choctaw, and Dr. Karis in Choctaw. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, Dr. Cory Cross, Dr. Conner (Ashley) Cross, and Dr. Christopher (Rachel) Cross, Dr. Landon (Barbie) Lorenz, Lane (Jon) Straughn, William Bernhardt III, Alice Bernhardt, Ralph Bernhardt, and Curran Steele, Katharine Steele, Elizabeth Steele, and Michael Kenny.
Viewing will take place at Barnes Friedereich, 1820 S. Douglas Blvd. (Midwest City), on Sunday, June 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. A funeral service will take place at the First Baptist Church, 705 E. Rickenbacker Dr. (Midwest City) on Monday, July 26 at 1 p.m. A private interment will follow. His wife has requested that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Dr. Bernhardt's memory make a donation to the church or, if they prefer, to the charity of their choice.
Bernhardt was born near Hitchcock on June 27, 1926. He grew up on his father's farm where he performed his daily chores, rode his horse, Ribbon, and learned to play the piano, becoming accomplished enough to play on an Oklahoma City radio show. His aspirations reached beyond his father's farm. He admired local physicians and longed for a position that would allow him to help others and become a prominent member of the community. He was an excellent student with a superb memory. When he was only sixteen, he started college at Southwestern in Weatherford. Because the US had entered World War II, he found himself one of the few men on campus and attracted a lot of attention, at one time being named "Mr. Southwestern." He served in the US Navy and later retired a Major in the National Guard.
While working as a pharmacist's apprentice in a Weatherford drugstore, Bernhardt met his future bride, Theta Juan Sickles, who came into the store one day with her mother for a Coke float. Before long they were dating and about a year later they married. On June 30 of this year, he and his wife celebrated their 73rd anniversary.
Bernhardt graduated from Southwestern with B.S. degrees in Chemistry, Biological Sciences, and Pharmacy. He worked as a pharmacist, but still harbored his dream of becoming a physician. After several years' work, he saved enough money to enter medical school at the University of Oklahoma, a financially risky but ambitious move. This decision marked a big change for the entire family. Bernhardt liked to tell friends he started medical school, his wife started teaching in Midwest City, his daughter Michel started kindergarten, and his daughter Valerie started nursery school—all on the same day.
Bernhardt graduated from medical school in 1958 and began practicing as a family physician in Midwest City. He also performed surgery and obstetrics. He said that the achievement he was most proud of was that he had brought more than 2500 babies into the world. He practiced for many years and became a prominent, well-respected, trusted citizen.
Bernhardt held many community-service positions, including Chairman for the Board of Regents at Rose State College and President of the local PTA. He was named Oklahoma Family Physician of the Year in 1986 and was a runner-up for National Family Physician of the Year. He received awards from the University of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians, and the School of Medicine Alumni Association. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus at Southwestern, where he and his wife founded a prize to reward outstanding teachers. He also served as Chief of Staff for Midwest City Regional Hospital. In 2015 he and his wife received the Rose State College Tower Award.
Bernhardt continued practicing medicine until 2012, finally retiring at the age of 86.
"Dr. Bill" will be remembered fondly by his patients, friends, and family as a good man with a good heart who led an exemplary life and inspired many. His easy smile and twinkling eyes quickly put people at ease. His life is a testament to courage, to the benefits of hard work, and to the value of blazing your own trail and creating the life you want to have.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Bertha, his sister Georgene, and his brother Dr. Keith, who practiced medicine with him for many years, but he is survived by two brothers, Dr. Samuel (Geri) of Oklahoma City, Jerald (Ellen) of Edmond, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his wife, Theta Juan, and his four children, Michel (Dr. Braden) Cross in Norman, Valerie (Bill) Lorenz in Norman, William II (Lara) in Choctaw, and Dr. Karis in Choctaw. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, Dr. Cory Cross, Dr. Conner (Ashley) Cross, and Dr. Christopher (Rachel) Cross, Dr. Landon (Barbie) Lorenz, Lane (Jon) Straughn, William Bernhardt III, Alice Bernhardt, Ralph Bernhardt, and Curran Steele, Katharine Steele, Elizabeth Steele, and Michael Kenny.
Viewing will take place at Barnes Friedereich, 1820 S. Douglas Blvd. (Midwest City), on Sunday, June 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. A funeral service will take place at the First Baptist Church, 705 E. Rickenbacker Dr. (Midwest City) on Monday, July 26 at 1 p.m. A private interment will follow. His wife has requested that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Dr. Bernhardt's memory make a donation to the church or, if they prefer, to the charity of their choice.
Dr. William Gene Bernhardt died peacefully on July 20, 2021, at the age of 95.
Bernhardt was born near Hitchcock on June 27, 1926. He grew up on his father's farm where he performed his daily chores, rode his horse, Ribbon, and learned to play the piano, becoming accomplished enough to play on an Oklahoma City radio show. His aspirations reached beyond his father's farm. He admired local physicians and longed for a position that would allow him to help others and become a prominent member of the community. He was an excellent student with a superb memory. When he was only sixteen, he started college at Southwestern in Weatherford. Because the US had entered World War II, he found himself one of the few men on campus and attracted a lot of attention, at one time being named "Mr. Southwestern." He served in the US Navy and later retired a Major in the National Guard.
While working as a pharmacist's apprentice in a Weatherford drugstore, Bernhardt met his future bride, Theta Juan Sickles, who came into the store one day with her mother for a Coke float. Before long they were dating and about a year later they married. On June 30 of this year, he and his wife celebrated their 73rd anniversary.
Bernhardt graduated from Southwestern with B.S. degrees in Chemistry, Biological Sciences, and Pharmacy. He worked as a pharmacist, but still harbored his dream of becoming a physician. After several years' work, he saved enough money to enter medical school at the University of Oklahoma, a financially risky but ambitious move. This decision marked a big change for the entire family. Bernhardt liked to tell friends he started medical school, his wife started teaching in Midwest City, his daughter Michel started kindergarten, and his daughter Valerie started nursery school—all on the same day.
Bernhardt graduated from medical school in 1958 and began practicing as a family physician in Midwest City. He also performed surgery and obstetrics. He said that the achievement he was most proud of was that he had brought more than 2500 babies into the world. He practiced for many years and became a prominent, well-respected, trusted citizen.
Bernhardt held many community-service positions, including Chairman for the Board of Regents at Rose State College and President of the local PTA. He was named Oklahoma Family Physician of the Year in 1986 and was a runner-up for National Family Physician of the Year. He received awards from the University of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians, and the School of Medicine Alumni Association. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus at Southwestern, where he and his wife founded a prize to reward outstanding teachers. He also served as Chief of Staff for Midwest City Regional Hospital. In 2015 he and his wife received the Rose State College Tower Award.
Bernhardt continued practicing medicine until 2012, finally retiring at the age of 86.
"Dr. Bill" will be remembered fondly by his patients, friends, and family as a good man with a good heart who led an exemplary life and inspired many. His easy smile and twinkling eyes quickly put people at ease. His life is a testament to courage, to the benefits of hard work, and to the value of blazing your own trail and creating the life you want to have.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Bertha, his sister Georgene, and his brother Dr. Keith, who practiced medicine with him for many years, but he is survived by two brothers, Dr. Samuel (Geri) of Oklahoma City, Jerald (Ellen) of Edmond, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his wife, Theta Juan, and his four children, Michel (Dr. Braden) Cross in Norman, Valerie (Bill) Lorenz in Norman, William II (Lara) in Choctaw, and Dr. Karis in Choctaw. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, Dr. Cory Cross, Dr. Conner (Ashley) Cross, and Dr. Christopher (Rachel) Cross, Dr. Landon (Barbie) Lorenz, Lane (Jon) Straughn, William Bernhardt III, Alice Bernhardt, Ralph Bernhardt, and Curran Steele, Katharine Steele, Elizabeth Steele, and Michael Kenny.
Viewing will take place at Barnes Friedereich, 1820 S. Douglas Blvd. (Midwest City), on Sunday, June 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. A funeral service will take place at the First Baptist Church, 705 E. Rickenbacker Dr. (Midwest City) on Monday, July 26 at 1 p.m. A private interment will follow. His wife has requested that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Dr. Bernhardt's memory make a donation to the church or, if they prefer, to the charity of their choice.
Bernhardt was born near Hitchcock on June 27, 1926. He grew up on his father's farm where he performed his daily chores, rode his horse, Ribbon, and learned to play the piano, becoming accomplished enough to play on an Oklahoma City radio show. His aspirations reached beyond his father's farm. He admired local physicians and longed for a position that would allow him to help others and become a prominent member of the community. He was an excellent student with a superb memory. When he was only sixteen, he started college at Southwestern in Weatherford. Because the US had entered World War II, he found himself one of the few men on campus and attracted a lot of attention, at one time being named "Mr. Southwestern." He served in the US Navy and later retired a Major in the National Guard.
While working as a pharmacist's apprentice in a Weatherford drugstore, Bernhardt met his future bride, Theta Juan Sickles, who came into the store one day with her mother for a Coke float. Before long they were dating and about a year later they married. On June 30 of this year, he and his wife celebrated their 73rd anniversary.
Bernhardt graduated from Southwestern with B.S. degrees in Chemistry, Biological Sciences, and Pharmacy. He worked as a pharmacist, but still harbored his dream of becoming a physician. After several years' work, he saved enough money to enter medical school at the University of Oklahoma, a financially risky but ambitious move. This decision marked a big change for the entire family. Bernhardt liked to tell friends he started medical school, his wife started teaching in Midwest City, his daughter Michel started kindergarten, and his daughter Valerie started nursery school—all on the same day.
Bernhardt graduated from medical school in 1958 and began practicing as a family physician in Midwest City. He also performed surgery and obstetrics. He said that the achievement he was most proud of was that he had brought more than 2500 babies into the world. He practiced for many years and became a prominent, well-respected, trusted citizen.
Bernhardt held many community-service positions, including Chairman for the Board of Regents at Rose State College and President of the local PTA. He was named Oklahoma Family Physician of the Year in 1986 and was a runner-up for National Family Physician of the Year. He received awards from the University of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians, and the School of Medicine Alumni Association. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus at Southwestern, where he and his wife founded a prize to reward outstanding teachers. He also served as Chief of Staff for Midwest City Regional Hospital. In 2015 he and his wife received the Rose State College Tower Award.
Bernhardt continued practicing medicine until 2012, finally retiring at the age of 86.
"Dr. Bill" will be remembered fondly by his patients, friends, and family as a good man with a good heart who led an exemplary life and inspired many. His easy smile and twinkling eyes quickly put people at ease. His life is a testament to courage, to the benefits of hard work, and to the value of blazing your own trail and creating the life you want to have.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Bertha, his sister Georgene, and his brother Dr. Keith, who practiced medicine with him for many years, but he is survived by two brothers, Dr. Samuel (Geri) of Oklahoma City, Jerald (Ellen) of Edmond, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his wife, Theta Juan, and his four children, Michel (Dr. Braden) Cross in Norman, Valerie (Bill) Lorenz in Norman, William II (Lara) in Choctaw, and Dr. Karis in Choctaw. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, Dr. Cory Cross, Dr. Conner (Ashley) Cross, and Dr. Christopher (Rachel) Cross, Dr. Landon (Barbie) Lorenz, Lane (Jon) Straughn, William Bernhardt III, Alice Bernhardt, Ralph Bernhardt, and Curran Steele, Katharine Steele, Elizabeth Steele, and Michael Kenny.
Viewing will take place at Barnes Friedereich, 1820 S. Douglas Blvd. (Midwest City), on Sunday, June 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. A funeral service will take place at the First Baptist Church, 705 E. Rickenbacker Dr. (Midwest City) on Monday, July 26 at 1 p.m. A private interment will follow. His wife has requested that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Dr. Bernhardt's memory make a donation to the church or, if they prefer, to the charity of their choice.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
