Dr. William R. McGee passed away Aug. 5 in Naples, FL. He was 100 years old. A 1939 graduate of the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, McGee launched his veterinary career in Lexington with what started as a one-year internship with E. T. Hagyard & Sons and turned into a longstanding business relationship with the practice founded by Dr. Edward Hagyard. With the addition of Dr. Art Davidson, the firm was eventually renamed Hagyard-Davidson-McGee.
McGee specialized in management of breeding stock, and over the years was in the forefront of various advances in that speciality of veterinary practice. Over his more than four decades of practice, McGee also studied and utilized improvements in parasite control in horses, as well as increased availability of penicillin.
McGee was a frequent author on veterinary medicine, and in addition to the firm's vast United States clientele he was recruited as a consultant by horsemen in England, Ireland, France, Italy, Venezuela, Argentina, and Colombia. He received many awards and was a former president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners Society For Theriogenology.
In 1991, McGee was honored by his alma mater with the Distinguished Veterinary Alumnus Award of Washington State University. He and Davidson were joint honorees of the 1992 Testimonial Dinner of the Thoroughbred Club of America. McGee was president of that Lexington-based club in 1967.
“The life and career of Dr. William R. McGee epitomized the essence of the consummate equine veterinary practitioner and professional colleague,” said. Dr. Stuart Brown of the veterinary firm which since 2004 has been named Hagyard Equine Medical institute. “His dedication and compassion to the patients under his care are as legendary as the many renowned heroes of the turf that experienced his skillful expertise. It is remarkable to reflect on his career from his arrival in our practice as an intern to more recent years when we have enjoyed his presence in welcoming our incoming intern classes at Hagyard Equine Medical and watch as they listened closely to his words and those lessons that remained as insightful and inspirational to this very day. . . It is by no mistake that the practice's renowned equine internal medicine service is housed in the facility that bears his name, the McGee Medicine Hospital. It serves as a daily reminder of his legacy to all of us in dedication to patient care and commitment to the lives of all those around us in service.”
“Dr. McGee was a pioneer in the advancement of veterinary services for the breeding industry as we know it today,” said Dr. Gary Lavin, also a past AAEP president and Thoroughbred Club honoree. “I was privileged to intern with him and learn firsthand his wonderful talent. He was, indeed, the consummate gentleman.”
McGee was preceded in death by his wife Alice. He is survived by sons, William R. McGee Jr. (Judy) and Michael McGee (Mary), grandchildren Regan McGee, Ali Kelly (Danny), and Michael McGee. He is also survived by a great-grandchild, Kyra McGee, and a step-great-grandchild, Elise Miller.
Milwards of Broadway are handling arrangements.
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