Dr. William Puller Wharton

ROCHESTER, MINN: Dr. William P. Wharton, 88, died at his favorite time of day on Friday, May 28, 2010 at Madonna Towers. Dr. Wharton was an emeritus member of the Division of Preventive Medicine and Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic.Dr. Wharton was born November 21, 1921 to James H. and Mary S. (Puller) Wharton in Sturgeon, MO. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the Army from April 1943 to February 1946 in both the European and Pacific Theaters. In 1946, he graduated from the University of Kentucky with his Bachelors of Science Degree and in 1951, from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He married Dorothy R. Goforth on August 23, 1947. In 1955, Dr. Wharton became a member of the staff at the Lexington Clinic, Lexington, Kentucky and from 1962-1966 was plant medical director for IBM in Lexington. He was appointed to the staff at Mayo Clinic on December 1, 1966, as a consultant in Preventive and Internal Medicine. He retired in 1986. Dr. Wharton was a member of the American Medical Association, Industrial Medical Association, American Society of Internal Medicine, Minnesota State Medical Association, Society of the Sigma Xi, Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Phi Chi Professional Medical Fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Academic Fraternity, Raven Society of the University of Virginia, Alumni Association of Mayo Graduate School of Medicine and the University of Virginia Medical Alumni Association.Dr. Wharton is survived by his two daughters, Nood Reynolds, Rochester, MN and Kim Wharton, Minneapolis, MN; four grandchildren, Drew (Dimple) Reynolds, Reed Reynolds, Tristan Erlandson,and Leigh Erlandson. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Dorothy on July 15, 1995. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes' Chapel. Fr. James D. Russell of Madonna Towers will be the officiant. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery with Military Honors. Memorials are suggested to Mayo Clinic Research or Madonna Towers.