House Resolution 481
By: Representatives Stephens of the 164th, Gilliard of the 162nd, Jackson of the 165th, Petrea
of the 166th, and Hitchens of the 161st
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of Dr. William Nettles Wessinger; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens
with the passing of Dr. William Nettles Wessinger on February 20, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Dr. William Nettles Wessinger was born on March 25, 1947, in Columbia,
South Carolina, a beloved son of James Bryson and Eliza Nettles Wessinger; and
WHEREAS, he served as a guardian of this nation's freedom and liberty with the United
States Army, valiantly and courageously aiding his fellow Americans as a Flight Surgeon and
holding the rank of Captain prior to his honorable discharge; and
WHEREAS, after his military service, he was accepted into the Duke University School of
Medicine's orthopedic surgery residency, where he served as chief resident in his fourth year
and completed a Fellowship in Hand and Upper Extremities; and
WHEREAS, in 1981, he relocated to Savannah, Georgia, to begin his medical career with
Orthopedic Associates, which later merged with Optim Orthopedics, and for over 23 years,
he provided exceptional care to his patients, forming lasting relationships and earning a
reputation as one of the finest orthopedic surgeons in the region; and
WHEREAS, transitioning into hospital administration, he further served as Senior Vice
President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer at Memorial Health, where he
contributed to the Quality Improvement Council; and
WHEREAS, he was widely respected for his expertise and contributions to the medical field,
earning membership in the American Society of Surgery of the Hand, the Piedmont
Orthopedic Society at Duke, and the Georgia Orthopedic Society; and
WHEREAS, he was united in love and marriage to his wife, Karen, and was blessed with two
remarkable children, Lucy and William, as well as two wonderful grandchildren, Noel and
Freya; and
WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Dr. William Nettles Wessinger will long
be remembered for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all
who had the great fortune of knowing him.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Dr. William Nettles
Wessinger and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the
family of Dr. William Nettles Wessinger.