William Benedict MacGuire Jr., MD

Dr. William B. MacGuire, Jr., Cofounder of the Diagnostic Center of Chattanooga, TN, died on July 11th 2015 at the age of 99. He will be remembered as renowned physician, entrepreneur and generous, caring man. Born in New York City, Dr. MacGuire graduated from Fordham University and then summa cum laude from Columbia University Medical School. He was trained in Internal Medicine and was board certified in this specialty. During his medical residency in New York City, Dr. MacGuire was one of the first physicians ever to perform diagnostic trans-dermal needle biopsies of the liver and lung.

In 1948, Dr. MacGuire moved to Chattanooga following his service with the Air Force and his residency in Internal Medicine. During World War II, he served as a Group Flight Surgeon for the Reconnaissance Command in Meridian, Mississippi and then spent three years in the South Pacific as Flight Surgeon for the Troop Carrier Command as the U.S. forces advanced from New Guinea through the Philippines to Japan. During that latter service, he received the Philippine Liberation Medal with Bronze Star as well as several combat unit citations.

Dr. MacGuire was the proud recipient of a medical book published in Latin in the year 1546. This book had been passed down through the hands of three of America’s greatest Internists: Drs. William Osler, George Dock and William Dock. It was awarded to Dr. MacGuire for outstanding performance at the conclusion of his residency in Internal Medicine at Columbia University in 1948. Dr. MacGuire, in keeping with tradition, gave it to his granddaughter Dr. Lauren MacGuire who will in turn pass it on to a future descendant.

Dr. MacGuire was a member of the Chattanooga Hamilton County Medical Society, American Medical Association, and the American College of Physicians. He was on staff at several local hospitals where he served in several Medical Officer ships. Dr. MacGuire also served on the Board of Directors, at various times, for the American Red Cross, Catholic Social Services, the Calsted Foundation, and several other organizations. In 1997, he was recipient of the Porter Warner Award given by the Big Brothers and Sisters. He was a strong advocate of helping others and giving of his time in any way he could.

Dr. MacGuire loved the game of golf and to that end enjoyed the longest term membership in the history of the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club where he scored his age or better more than 925 times. At the age of 97, he was still walking the course, carrying his own bag, having never used a golf cart.

Dr. MacGuire was a communicant of Saint Peter and Paul Basilica, and in 1963 was honored with the “Apostolic Household Blessing” bestowed by Pope Paul VI. Dr. MacGuire was also a loving and devoted husband and was preceded in death by his wives, Mae Varia Veronica Cecelia Noonan MacGuire (devoted mother of his children), Muriel Roth MacGuire, and Velma C. MacGuire. He was also preceded in death by his grandson, William B. MacGuire IV, daughter-in-law Nancy H. MacGuire, and sisters, Mary M. Boehm and Patricia Sunderland.

Survivors include his son, William B. MacGuire, III of Georgetown, S.C., his son John A. MacGuire and John’s wife Lynda, of Knoxville, TN, his daughter, Anne Marie Benton and her husband, Don of Chattanooga, TN and his son, Thom, and Thom’s wife Linda of Kernersville, NC. Dr. MacGuire was extremely proud of his twelve grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. He especially loved their annual family reunion each summer at DeBordieu Colony Club, SC.

Dr. MacGuire is also survived by his sister, Kathryn Prescott of Scarsdale, NY as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. All of them remember Dr. MacGuire as an extraordinary brother, uncle, and cousin. Dr. MacGuire was famous for sharing stories of his wonderful childhood and never turned down an opportunity to be with family.

The family will receive relatives and friends in the vestry of Saints Peter and Paul Basilica at 1 PM Thursday prior to a requiem mass that will be a celebration of Dr. MacGuire’s wonderful life at 2 PM Thursday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Walter E. Boehm Birth Defects Center or any charity of choice.