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Dr. William Deavor will always be remembered in Selma for his endless devotion to patients, family, and friends.

Deavor, who passed away Aug. 22, leaves behind an outstanding legacy for family and friends to follow – ranging from delivering countless babies and saving numerous lives to volunteering with countless organizations throughout Selma and Dallas County.

Deavor operated and ran his own practice in Selma and Dallas County. Commissioner Jan Justice, one of Deavor’s former patients, called him a man of integrity.

“He was such an ethical man,” Justice said. “He was a very special doctor in women’s healthcare in Selma, delivering over 10,000 babies. He was a leader in the faith community and was an inspiration to many.”

John Morris, a longtime friend of Deavor, said Deavor’s love and compassion were felt by everyone he met.

“Dr. Deavor was an extraordinary person as well as physician,” Morris said. “He was loved not only by his family but by his patients, employees, church family, and his many friends. I admired his character and integrity and enjoyed his friendship for many years. He touched many lives in our community.”

Morgan Academy Director of Operations Karim Oaks said Deavor was more than a doctor to her family.

“Dr. Deavor was my doctor and my friend,” Oaks said. “He was also a phenomenal Sunday School teacher. He delivered all three of my girls. He got a great laugh telling Matt and me that we were having twins. He laughed and said to Matt, ‘It looks like you’re getting two more girls… so get ready to pay for three weddings.”

Buddy Perkins said his friendship with Deavor began during Christmas in 1985 when he moved to Selma to work for MacMillan Bloedel. Perkins and his wife, Jeannie, bought a house in Landsdowne. They became members of Church Street United Methodist Church, where Deavor attended, and a friendship quickly struck.

“He was a fellow Alabama alumnus, and we naturally became friends and golf buddies,” Perkins said. “Over time, we began to fish on his pond, go to football, baseball, and basketball games together. We annually went on road trips to some of the top courses in America. Ray Delp, Roger Butler, Dub and I frequented Doral, Pinehurst, Grand Cypress, Copperhead, and PGA National near Miami. We would play 36 holes per day for two or three days, then 18 more the day we traveled home.”

Over the course of seven years, Deavor worked on his education in the medical field. During his time in the U.S. Navy, Deavor began working first as an intern, then as a flight surgeon for the U.S. Navy.

After retiring, Deavor completed his OB-GYN residency at the University of Alabama Birmingham and opened his own practice in Selma.

Deavor also served the community as Director of the March of Dimes, a Board Member of the Selma Area Food Bank, and Eagle Scout.

“He was kind, he was humble, and he took time for everyone,” said Ashly Barlow, a former employee and patient of Deavor.

Deavor is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia Ann Wilson; three children – Richard Todd Deavor, Kimberly Deavor Barnard, and Mary Kathryn Ade; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.