William P Grise, M.D., known for his compassionate bedside manner, passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the age of 94 at the University of Kentucky, Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.
Grise devoted himself to his patients and treated not only orthopedic cases and also general surgery cases during his career.
He went to Eastern Kentucky University for his Bachelor of Science degree. Dr. Grise earned his medical degree from the University of Louisville in 1953 where he was the youngest student in his class, and then joined the military. During his time in the Air Force, Dr. Grise served as an orthopedic surgeon and was stationed in Greenland. He rose through the ranks and would eventually earn his Captain’s bars before returning to civilian life.
After his military service, Dr. Grise returned to his home in Madison County, which is about 30 miles south of Lexington, Kentucky. He opened a general surgery practice initially before migrating to orthopedics. Dr. Grise served his community for more than 40 years before retiring.
“He enjoyed seeing his patients getting better and grieved when they did not,” his family wrote.
Grise was born on February 14, 1929, in Bowling Green, Kentucky to P.M. Grise and Stella Louise Cotton Grise.
He had a farm where he and his wife raised irises that people could come and buy. He was also a member of the Fayette County Iris Society.
He leaves behind his son, William M. Grise; two stepsons, James and Greg Wall; three daughters, Elizabeth Jane Grise, Susan Elaine Grise McNulty and Amy Lousie Grise Craycraft; one stepdaughter, Connie Miles. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Spencer McNulty, Mandy Blythe, Zach Grise and Alex Grise as well as five great-grandchildren, Levi Parker Grise, Charlotte Elizabeth Grise, Brantley Blythe, Hensley Rose Blythe and Bo Everett Blythe. He also leaves behind close friends Don and Mary Alice Jaynes.
