Obituary of Graham Bourhill

MARION, VIRGINIA: GRAHAM HERRIES BOURHILL, M.D., age 87, passed away Wednesday, May 28, 2008 in Smyth County Community Hospital. He was a retired physician serving the State of Virginia for nearly 50 years. Graham was born on January 1, 1921 in Wrexham, North Wales, U.K. He obtained his medical education at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. He served as a physician in the British Army Medical Corp in Palestine from 1946-1948, and was honored for Distinguished Service during this time. Graham arrived in the U.S. in 1950 intending to stay for one year. He began his medical career in Wilmington, Delaware. From 1952-1955, he served at Catawba Hospital. In approximately 1956, he began work at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, where he practiced pulmonary medicine and instructed students in the medical school. In 1969, he returned to Catawba Hospital and served as Medical Director during the transition of Catawba from a tuberculosis hospital to a geriatric facility. In 1978, he began working at the Department of Corrections in Marion, Virginia, where he stayed until his retirement in 1992. Graham served on the Board of Directors and was president of the Virginia Chapter of the American College of Chest Physicians which he belonged to for more than 30 years. Graham will be fondly remembered for many things, including his dedication to his family, grandchildren and many dear friends, his precise English ways, dry wit, woodwork, love for learning, and years of service to the world. Graham was predeceased by his father, Charles John George Bourhill, M.D., his mother, May Bourhill, M.D. and three sisters, Peggy Hoar, Biddy Bourhill, M.D. and Molly Bourhill. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 32 years, Carrie R. Bourhill, whom he affectionately called "Cara Mia" of Marion, Virginia also surviving are his children and their spouses, Eric C. Bourhill, M.D. and wife, Linda of Callaway, Virginia and David Bourhill of Roanoke, Virginia, Joy Bourhill Hubert and husband, Jim of Germany, a stepson Glenn Robinson, Jr. and wife, Shelly of Marion, Virginia. He is also survived by four brothers-in-law, Jock Hoar of Tilmanstone, Kent, England, Garnett Hall and wife, Jean, Joe Hall and wife, Margaret, all of Marion, Virginia, and Marvin Hall and wife, Marylyn of Newberry Park, California. Also surviving are his five grandchildren, Layton, Lida and Celia Bourhill of Callaway, Virginia, Katy and Rachel Robinson of Atkins, Virginia. Numerous beloved nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and a host of special friends worldwide. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with Reverend Neville Mozingo officiating. Private burial will be held in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion, Virginia. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 5:30 p.m. until the time of the service at Seaver-Brown Chapel. In lieu of flowers, Graham requested that any donations be made to the Boys Home, 306 Boys Home Road, Covington, Virginia 24426. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Bourhill Family.