Dr. William S. Harwell

Dr. William Stewart Harwell, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died on Thursday, the 17th of November 2016, at Houston Hospice. He was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on the 21st of June 1927, the son of Dr. Wilbur Russell Harwell and Ada Louise Stewart Harwell. He attended Byrd High School and Centenary College in Shreveport, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. He went on to receive his Doctorate of Medicine from Tulane University in New Orleans. He then completed his internship and medical residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, before serving as a Medical Officer in the US Army during the Korean War.

In June of 1949 Bill married Jean Marie Entrikin, the daughter of his college chemistry professor, Dr. John Entrikin and his wife Minnie Sue. Following his Army service, Bill completed a Residency in Radiology and was certified by the American Board of Radiology. He and Jean moved with their young family to Houston in 1957, having obtained a position in the radiology department of Memorial Baptist Hospital, working with Drs. A.W. Jester, DeWitt Cox, Jr., and Joe M. Moody. These physicians later formed Memorial Radiology Associates. Dr. Harwell pursued the practice of radiology for thirty years in Houston until his retirement. He was a member of the Harris County Medical Society, the Texas Medical Association, the Houston Radiological Society, the American College of Radiology, and the Radiological Society of North America.

Jean and Bill were blessed to enjoy over 67 years of marriage. They became avid bird-watchers, enjoying this avocation together for some 50 years, pursuing their interest all over the US, including Alaska, as well as in Europe and the Antarctic. They were active members of the Houston Outdoor Nature Club, Houston Audubon Society, Texas Ornithological Society and the American Birding Association.

Bill and Jean were members of Chapelwood United Methodist Church for over 45 years and were active in their Wedding Band Sunday School Class. In retirement, Bill enjoyed working with a group from Chapelwood building houses for Habitat for Humanity, and repairing homes for the indigent elderly with Rebuilding Houston Together. He and Jean also spent many happy days at their vacation home in Buena Vista, Colorado.

Dr. Harwell was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Louise Harwell Rogers of Durham, New Hampshire. He is survived by his wife, Jean Entrikin Harwell, and their three children: William S. Harwell, Jr. and his wife, Sara Rider, of West Lake Hills, Texas; Susan Louise Harwell Knipe and her husband, Dr. Kenneth D. Knipe, of Palmyra, Pennsylvania; and Sarah Anne Harwell Frewer of Houston. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Tracy Marie Harwell Mueller and her husband Travis A. Mueller; Zachary Russell Knipe and his wife Adriana; Ashley Stewart Knipe Commissiong and her husband, Gerald Commissiong; Austin Patrick Knipe; Mallory Catherine Frewer James and her husband Nathaniel James; Joseph Harwell Frewer; Andrew McIntosh Frewer; and nine great-grandchildren. Other survivors include his nieces and nephews Louise Rogers, John Rogers, Katie Morris and Larry Gibson. They will all miss their husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle.

The family would like to thank the many caregivers at Holly Hall Retirement Community, The Belmont Village at Hunters Creek and Houston Hospice for their assistance and concern.

Friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories of Dr. Harwell during a memorial reception to be held from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Friday, the 2nd of December, at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Following a private interment at Woodlawn Garden of Memories Cemetery, a memorial service celebrating his life is to be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 3rd of December, in the chapel of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street in Houston, where Rev. Bob Johnson, Executive Pastor, is to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby Courtyard Room.

In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Dr. Harwell’s name be directed to Habitat for Humanity, 3750 N. McCarty, Houston, TX, 77029; Houston Audubon Society, 440 Wilchester Blvd., Houston, TX, 77079; The Chapelwood Foundation; Attn: Accounting Manager, 11140 Greenbay St., Houston, TX, 77024; or to Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston TX 77030-4123.