Dr. William Charles Retterbush, M.D.

William Charles Retterbush, M. D., of Valdosta died Saturday, February 13, 2010 at South Georgia Medical Center. Dr. Retterbush, a prominent General Surgeon in Valdosta was born on February 21, 1923 in Piqua, Ohio, son of George W. and Rosena Retterbush, He graduated from Piqua Central High School with honors. He received a B. A. degree in 1944 and an M.D. degree in 1947 both from Ohio State University. Dr. Retterbush completed his internship at Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital in Detroit, Michigan in 1948. He attended graduate school at College of Medical Evangelists, Los Angeles, California in 1948-1949. He performed his residency in General Surgery at Maumee Valley Hospital, Toledo, Ohio, 1948-1950. Dr. Retterbush served his country as a First Lieutenant, U. S. Army Medical Corps at Ft. Brooke, Puerto Rico 1951-1953. He was Chief Resident in Surgery at Knoxville General Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee 1953-1954. He became certified by the American Board of Surgery in 1956. Dr. Retterbush began the private practice of Surgery in Valdosta in 1954 at the Little-Griffin Hospital and in 1955 at Pineview General Hospital which became South Georgia Medical Center. He served as Chief of Staff in 1970 and practiced surgery actively with his son, David Retterbush, M.D. until he retired in 1992. He was a member of the South Georgia Medical Society, American Medical Association and Southern Medical Association. He was also a member of the Valdosta Country Club and also a lifetime member of Valdosta Elks Lodge #728. He was a devoted member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and a devoted, loving husband and father.
Dr. Retterbush was preceded in death by his father, George Retterbush, mother, Rosena Retterbush, aunt, Helen Hoff and sister, Joann Retterbush all Piqua, Ohio.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Retterbush of Valdosta, six sons, and daughters in law, David Retterbush, M.D. and Denise, Mark Retterbush, D.M.D., Scott and Kay Retterbush all of Valdosta, Billy and Wanda Retterbush of Nashville, GA., Blake and Angie Retterbush of Jacksonville, Fla., John and Ruthann Retterbush of Wellington, Fla., two daughters and sons in law, Janet and Wayne Guerke of Tifton, GA., Lisa and Dave Stratman of Parker, Colorado, two stepdaughters and a son in law, Cyndy and Billy Dennis of Marietta, GA. and Dawn Miller of Valdosta, fourteen grandchildren, Patrick Retterbush, Aaron Retterbush, Lisa (Matt) Shelton, Heather Retterbush, Ashley Stratman, Ryan Stratman, Kevin Stratman, Christy Stratman, Christopher Retterbush, Jonathan Retterbush, William Retterbush III, Amanda Dennis, Shanna Barfield and April Simmons and five great grandchildren, Anna Grace DeCoudres, Camryn Simmons, Cannon Simmons, Gracie Barfield and Savannah Barfield, his sister and brother in law, Carol and Hank Maas, several nieces and nephews, very close friends, Dale and Stephanie Cutshaw and their two sons considered as grandchildren, William Cutshaw and Charles Cutshaw of Valdosta, GA and dearly beloved friends, Lawrence Tillman and Annie Kate Geddis both of Valdosta.
Funeral services will be held at 11am, Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with Father Dan O'Connell and Deacon David Lasseter officiating. Burial will follow in McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. A wake service will be held at 5pm, Monday at the funeral home with visitation to follow until 7pm. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or to the St. John the Evangelist Catholic School. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602