William Griffin

Dr. William Bedford Griffin, 95, departed this life for the next on December 5, 2020.   Dr. “Bill” as he was known by many, was born on August 14, 1925 in Staples, Texas to William Henry and Florence Catherine Griffin and grew up on his family’s farm near Nixon, Texas with his two brothers.  He graduated number 1 in his class from Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine in July 1945 (Texas DVM license no. 1002) and began his veterinary practice in Elk City, Oklahoma.  He married Dolores Dell Davis of Borger, his loving wife of 65 years on November 24, 1950. Together they had four sons, William (“Willie”), Phillip (“Flip”), Jonathan (“Jon”) and Jeffrey (“Jeff”).

They moved to Borger from Elk City in 1957, where he became manager and part owner of Davis Chevrolet.  Although Chevrolet became his livelihood, Dr. Bill never gave up his veterinary practice and continued to doctor every animal under the sun, rain or shine, day or night for the rest of his life.  Dr. Bill loved all animals, large and small, but his first love of animals was horses and was rarely without a horse to care for throughout his long life, whether belonging to him or others.   Summers were spent with his quarter-horses in Raton and other notable racetracks.  Dr. Bill also loved bird dogs, quail and pheasant hunting and participated in national field trials and won honors with his English Pointers.  After moving to Borger, Dr. Bill was involved in many civic activities over the years, including the Chamber of Commerce, Frank Phillips College Board, Borger City Council and Hutchinson County Commissioner. Dr. Bill and Dell became members of the First United Methodist Church shortly after moving to Borger and have been involved in the Church ever since, whether teaching Sunday School classes, serving on the Church Board or serving and directing many of the activities within the Church.  Dr. Bill’s Sunday routine was a morning stroll to Sunday school and church and rarely missed a service or a day in the word.  He was dedicated and steadfast in his faith and an exemplary leader of his household.  Dr. Bill studied the bible and was an avid reader of anything Texas or of western lore.  He loved the Panhandle ranching country and once exclaimed he “wished he’d been born here.”  After retiring, Dr. Bill continued his veterinary practice from behind the wheel of his 1973 white Chevrolet bonanza pickup truck, where he roamed all over the Panhandle doctoring dogs, cats, horses or cows with whatever ailments they might have.  All who know Dr. Bill knew that he was happiest when he was doctoring and able to help those with ailing animals; his compassion and caring for our 4-legged friends and their families kept him on the job.  He freely gave his time to many a charitable cause or person in need and was happy to do so.  For much of his veterinary work, he accepted little or nothing in return and was glad for it.  As one might imagine, Dr. Bill came across many characters and situations throughout his years as a veterinarian and the stories go on and on.  At one point, he thought he might put his memories in a book and had already picked the title…“Doc, Since You’re Here…”  But most of all, Dr. Bill loved his wife and family, supported them in every way throughout his life and loved the Lord.

Dr. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers Joel Henry and Warren Louis and his loving wife Dell.  As his legacy, he is survived by his sons and their wives, Willie and Teresa Griffin of Borger, Flip and Teresa Griffin of Gunter; Jon and Kelly Griffin of Grapevine and Jeff Griffin of Borger; 8 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and a host of others who knew and loved him.

A Celebration of his Life will be held Friday at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Interment is at Highland Park Cemetery under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger.  The family requests that all attendees wear a mask or face covering at the service.

The service will be live-streamed on Facebook/fumcborgertx. It will also be on this mintonchatwell.com site for viewing later.