William Robert Fuqua

Dr William Robert (Bob) Fuqua, 81, died peacefully at his home in Owensboro, Ky on Sep 30, 2012,.
Bob was the son of L. W. (Bill) and Ethel Fuqua. He was born in 1931 in Elkton Ky, at the home Bob & Audrey Kirkman, his Godparents. He spent some of his childhood years in Central City before moving to Owensboro and attending Owensboro High School.
While a premed student at Western Kentucky University Bob visited his Elkton childhood home and met the love of his life, Shirley Gray Gordon. They were married in the First Christian, Disciples of Christ Church in Elkton, Ky on Dec 26th, 1952, and would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year.
Bob graduated from Western Ky University and attended medical school at the University of Louisville.
After receiving his medical degree in 1958, Bob received an officer's commission in the United States Air Force and completed an orthopedic residency while performing his primary duties as a flight surgeon.
Dr Fuqua left the USAF as a Colonel, Chief of Staff in 1972, and returned to his hometown of Owensboro and joined the orthopedic practice of Stiles & McKay. He continued to practice until 2002, four years after his celebration of ''retirement'' party.
Throughout his entire medical career, he remained a dedicated physician and was well regarded by all of his patients. He was very proud of his practice, in addition to the excellence of those that worked with him. As an orthopedic surgeon, he was one of the first surgeons to perform a total knee & hip replacement in Kentucky.
Dr Fuqua remained active within the Owensboro community, as well as through his profession. He served as a past president of the Kentucky Medical Association, in addition to involving himself in various charitable organizations.
Bob worshipped our Lord at the First Christian, Disciples of Christ Church, serving as a senior deacon and was a regular teacher and student of the ''Fa-Ho-Lo'' Sunday School class.
He enjoyed hunting, competed in military shooting competitions, raced motorcycles for years, and cherished time with friends while sailing his boat, the ''Shuckee''.
Above all, Bob loved being with family and friends. He was devoted to his family and very much cherished his children, his grandchildren, and their accomplishments. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and son.
Bob is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughters, Bunny (Howard) Frum of Chicago, Audrey Aull of Nashville, Kim (Ross) Cotton of Louisville, and Nancy (Sam) Wilson of Owensboro; son, Robert (Kathy) Fuqua of Rochester, MN. , 9 grandchildren; Travis Filipowski, Wes & Matt Aull, Audrey Beth & Andrew Cotton, Nick & Jack Fuqua, Bennett & Olivia Wilson; a brother, Bud (Kae) Fuqua, and their children, Steve & Cindy.
Funeral services will be Noon on Wednesday at First Christian Church. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory and after 9 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery, with full military honors provided by the VFW Post 696.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Cliff Hagan Boys and Girls Club or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.glennfuneralhome.com