Dr. William Rufus Harvey, Jr.

Published 2:54 pm Friday, March 21, 2014

Dr. William Rufus Harvey, Jr. of Camden, age 88, died on March 18, 2014. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, 2014 at the Camden Baptist Church, Camden, AL. Visitation will be held at the church prior to the service at 1:30 p.m. Burial will follow the service at the Coy Cemetery. Bob Weber officiating and Dunklin & Daniels directing.

Dr. Harvey was preceded in death by his wife Mavorette King Harvey and a granddaughter Mary Ruth Harvey. He is survived by his children: Sharon Harvey Stipe of Tuscaloosa (Thomas), Dr. William Rufus Harvey, III of Birmingham (Susan), James Stephen Harvey of Mobile (Ellen), and John Robert Harvey of Mobile (Brooke); grandchildren, William Chase Harvey, Samuel Eli Harvey, Julia King Harvey, Anne Fontaine Harvey, Sarah Eleanor Stipe, Mavorette Ellen Harvey, James Robert Harvey, and Claire Amanda Harvey; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dr. Harvey was a proud veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Eisele. After the war, he returned home to attend The University of Alabama and Loyola University School of Dentistry, graduating in 1954. Dr. Harvey practiced dentistry in Camden, Alabama for 56 years. He was an active member of the Alabama Dental Association, serving in several leadership capacities in the Fourth District Dental Society. In 2004, the Alabama Dental Association honored Dr. Harvey in recognition of 50 years of service to the dental profession.

Dr. Harvey was an active member of the Camden Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He was recently recognized for 65 years of service as a member of the Grand Lodge of Alabama. He was also active in the American Legion and the Exchange Club. Dr. Harvey served on the board of directors of J. Paul Jones Hospital in Camden and was a founding board member of Wilcox Academy.

Dr. Harvey loved his church, family, friends, and his hometown. He was an avid Alabama football fan, enjoyed working in his vegetable garden, and steadfastly refused to miss his morning coffee club meetings at Hardees.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Camden Baptist Church Renovation Fund, 300 Broad Street, Camden, AL 36726 or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.dunklinanddanielsfh.com.