WILLIAM R. CASTLE
1882-1947
Dr. William R. Castle Rites Held Monday
For Noted Physician
Was Prominent Civic Leader
Dr. William Rogers Castle, 65, prominent Johnson County physician
and surgeon passed away November 29 at 12:30 A. M., at the Golden
Rule Hospital after an illness of three years.
Dr. Castle was born January 7, 1882, a son of the late Jefferson
and Mary Meadows Castle of Nippa, Ky.
He received his early education in the schools here after which he
was employed by the railroad, and as a teacher in the Johnson
schools. Later he attended the University of Louisville's school of
Medicine, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1907. The
grade he made on the examination given by the State Medical Board
was the highest ever recorded at that time and remained so for many
years.
He then returned to Johnson County where he entered the practice of
medicine at Nippa, Ky., later moving to Offutt, Ky., where he
resided for sixteen years.
He later moved to Paintsville in 1923. In 1925, with the
assistance of Doctors John P. Wells, G. V. Daniel, D. H. Daniel,
and J. A. Wells, he helped to organize the Golden Rule Hospital.
After completing a postgraduate course at the New York Polyclinic
Hospital, he continued to practice until about three years ago when
he was forced to retire because of ill health.
He was a prominent civic leader, served as city councilman, was a
Fellow of the American Medical Association, and a member of the
United Baptist Church of this city.
Until he ceased to practice, Dr. Castle was so loyal to his
profession that he never failed to answer calls, day or night.
Through the valleys and over the hills, rain or snow, he wended his
way to relieve afflicted sufferers.
The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. F. F. Rigsby,
assisted by Rev. Clarence Krebs, at the United Baptist Church
December 1 at 2:00 P.M. and interment was in the Castle Cemetery at
Nippa, Ky.
The active pallbearers were: Messrs J. H. Pelphrey, Bruce Wiley,
Dennis Van Hoose, Verne Horne, Otto Baldridge, Byron Van Hoose,
Bill Meade, Jonah Castle, Claude Van Hoose and Ollie Cooper.
Honorary pallbearers were: Monroe Wheeler, Martin Wheeler, F. S.
Van Hoose, Ray Turner, Franklin Chandler, H. G. Hazelrigg, J. W.
Turner, and the Johnson County Medical Association.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Emma Johnson Castle, a daughter,
Mrs. Eunice Phelps, three sisters, Mrs. C. B. Van Hoose of Nippa,
Ky., Mrs. Martha Meade, Nippa, Ky., and Mrs. Beth Wiley of Betsy
Layne, Ky., and a host of relatives and friends. His three
brothers, Thomas, James, and Israel Castle preceded him in death.
Note: This cemetery is also known as the "W. R. Castle
Cemetery" at Nippa.
Paintsville Herald
Thursday
December 4, 1947
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