Dr. William Gresham Orrison
June 30, 1943 – January 15, 2025
NCMS Life member Dr. William Gresham Orrison died on Wednesday, January 15. He was 81 years old.
Gresham’s very full life revolved around family, friends, community, and service to others. A caring doctor and skilled eye surgeon, he took pride in improving, and sometimes saving, his patients’ eyesight. An entrepreneur and astute businessman, he enjoyed collaborating with others to bring old buildings back to life, help downtowns thrive, and get small businesses off the ground. An active community member, he led and contributed to many worthy causes.
As an ophthalmologist at Morganton Eye, he impacted countless lives. Going anywhere in town with Gresham meant chats with appreciative past and present patients. Weekends, dinners, and sleep were often interrupted by calls to his personal phone from surgical patients with questions or concerns. He was that Doc, the rare, compassionate, and approachable one who said here is my number, call me anytime.
Gresham retired from Morganton Eye Physicians in June 2015. On January 1, 2019, he was inducted into the North Carolina Medical Society’s “Fifty Year Club”.
Dr. Gresham joined the NCMS in 1978.
The North Carolina Medical Society extends its deepest condolences.
Read Dr. Gresham’s full obituary here.