M. D. William Jeffress Senter

William Jeffress Senter, MD passed away May 28, 2011 in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was 93 years old.Dr. Senter was born on October 16, 1917 at his parents home in the tobacco farming community of Chalybeate Springs in northern Harnett County, NC.His father David Henry Senter was a tobacco farmer, banker, business owner, community leader and state legislator.Dr. Senter attended Chalybeate Springs Lafayette School where he studied hard and played both baseball and basketball. In 1934 he enrolled at Campbell Junior College in Buies Creek, NC for one year before transferring to Wake Forest College in Wake Forest, NC.At Wake Forest he majored in biology in preparation for medical school.After graduating with a Bachelor of Science from Wake Forest in 1938 he enrolled in the two-year Wake Forest College Medical School where he earned an Associate in Medicine degree in 1940.Thereafter, he enrolled at the University of Maryland Medical School in Baltimore, MD where he earned his Doctor of Medicine in 1942.He continued his medical education in Atlanta, GA first at Grady Hospital and then Emory University Hospital where he was Chief Resident.It was also in Atlanta where he met Bettye Ashcraft, who was a student at Agnes Scott College.They were married on December 30, 1943 at Government Street Presbyterian Church in Mobile, AL.Dr. Senter served his country during World War II as the medical officer assigned to the US Armys 1318th Engineering Regiment.He served in both the European and Pacific theatres and was honorably discharged with the rank of major.Throughout his life he maintained close relationships with the friends he made during the war and regularly attended his regimental reunions.After returning from the war in 1946, he and Bettye lived in Atlanta until he completed his residency in Internal Medicine.In 1949, he established his medical practice in Raleigh.He practiced internal medicine until the age of 77.He was a member of the Wake County and North Carolina Medical Societies as well as the American Medical Association.He also served as an assistant clinical professor at University of North Carolina Medical School and as chief medical officer for Mayview Convalescent Center.He was instrumental in lobbying for the establishment of the East Carolina University Medical School and served on the board of the Pitt County Memorial Hospital.Dr Senter was a longtime member of the Raleigh Civitan Club including serving as president.Among the many personal honors he received was his induction into North Carolinas Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is the highest honor accorded a civilian.Dr. Senter is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Bettye Ashcraft Senter; his three daughters Virginia Faye Senter, Elizabeth Senter Parsons, and Anne Senter Tomlinson (Parker), all of Raleigh, and a son William Jeffress Senter, Jr. (Teresa) of Madison, MS; seven grandchildren William Parker Tomlinson, Jr., Benjamin Jeffress Tomlinson (Laura), Adam Ashcraft Tomlinson (Addie), Elizabeth Anne Parsons, all of Raleigh, James Sheridan Parsons, Jr. (Perry) of Williamsburg, VA, Katherine Senter Matthews (Bradley) of Greensboro, NC, William Drew Senter (Jennifer) and great granddaughter Noelle Elaine Senter, of Oxford, AL.Also surviving are his sister-in-law Maxine Cone Senter of Cary, NC, 12 nieces and nephews, numerous other family members, and his best friend Travis H. (Tommy) Tomlinson of Raleigh.Dr. Senter was preceded in death by his parents David Henry Senter and Ida Jeffress Senter; his three brothers John Aaron Senter, David Grayson Senter, and Meredith Stevens Senter, and his sister Virginia Senter Currin.Dr. Senter was a faithful member of White Memorial Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon and Elder.His greatest joy was the time he spent with Bettye, his children and grandchildren.He also loved the weekends and vacations he was able to spend at Holly Rock Hill on Kerr Lake as well as his weekly visits to Harnett County to check on his farms and see old friends and family.Throughout his life, Dr. Senter was dearly loved and respected by his family and all who knew him.The Senter family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the loving staff of Morningside and of Hospice of Wake County.Their dedication will never be forgotten.The Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held June 1, 2011 at 11:00 at White Memorial Presbyterian Church on Oberlin Road in Raleigh, NC. with visitation immediately following the service.Burial with military honors will be at 3:00 PM at Montlawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be sent to White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Road, Raleigh, NC 27608 and Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.Arrangements by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Raleigh.