William Lee Wilkes, MD – March 30, 1941 – July 13, 2022

After a life well lived, William Lee Wilkes, MD passed away peacefully with his beloved three children, Natalie, Kim and Forest on July 13, 2022. Dr. Wilkes was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia and knew at an early age he had a calling in medicine. His father, a community pediatrician, often took young Bill on hospital rounds and he first handedly witnessed the affection and dedication his father had with patients.

In June 1963, he earned his undergraduate degree in premedical studies from the University of Georgia and in 1967 received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia. Dr. Wilkes completed his general surgery internship at Johnston-Willis Hospital in 1968 and a residency in otolaryngology, head and neck surgery at the Medical College of Virginia in 1972. He completed a subspecialty fellowship in otology at Richmond Children’s Hospital and a preceptorship at The Los Angeles Foundation of Otology in 1973. After completing his training, he served as a major and the chief of otolaryngology and allergy in the US Airforce from 1973-1975 at Vandenberg Airforce Base in California.

For more than 47 years, Dr. Wilkes served the Richmond community, practicing for the past six years at Richmond Ear, Nose and Throat. He enjoyed the relationships he made with his patients over his decades of practice. His patients were extremely fond of him and enjoyed his witty sense of humor and charisma. The staff at Richmond Ear, Nose and Throat best remember Dr. Wilkes as a fun loving, jolly and gentle physician. He was a great mentor to premedical students and always eager to teach and share pearls of wisdom about the ear. We will miss his stories of riding horses, passion for fox hunting and Alexa playing Bob Marley and Jimmy Buffet in his office.