William W. Bondurant, III, MD (SAA Class of 1950)

June 30, 1936 - February 16, 2025

Dr. William Walton Bondurant III passed away peacefully in the cherished comfort of the Galveston home he loved on February 16, 2025.

Dr. Bondurant, affectionately known as BB, was born on June 30th, 1936, at Nix Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, to Dr. William Walton Bondurant, Jr. and Martha Nieminen. He is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Laura Elizabeth Bondurant; his son, Charles Hamilton Bondurant; and his brothers, Ed Vaughn Bondurant and Charles Julius Bondurant. He was preceded in passing by his parents and his sister, Judith Bondurant Spencer.

BB grew up just five miles from the heart of San Antonio in Alamo Heights, Texas where he attended the Texas Military Institute once owned by his grandfather, Dr. William Walton Bondurant, Sr. BB was a decorated student and excelled academically with a strong ambition to become a doctor. After graduating from TMI in 1954, BB attended Austin College from 1954-1958 where he began his path to becoming a doctor. He then moved to Galveston to attend the University of Texas Medical School, graduating in 1962 as a Doctor of Medicine.

BB met Evangeline "Cissy" Ford in 1960. The couple married in Galveston, Texas on December 20,1962. The couple then moved to San Antonio where BB worked with his father, Dr. William Walton Bondurant, Jr. In 1963, BB was drafted into the army as a medic. He and Cissy lived in Germany until 1965 when he was honorably discharged as a Captain. Cissy and BB then moved back to Galveston so BB could continue his medical studies.

It was in his internship at Ohio State that BB solidified his choice to pursue a specialty in Psychiatry. After two psychiatric residencies at UTMB, he joined the Titus Harris Clinic in 1970 under the tutelage of his father-in-law, Dr. Hamilton Ford. He continued to own and run the Titus Harris Clinic in Galveston until it was closed. BB transitioned into private practice and became a psychiatrist in the geriatric psychiatric ward at the Mainland Medical Center in Texas City. Throughout his career, he not only practiced medicine but also dedicated time to mentoring and teaching many young medical students. Dr. Bondurant dedicated over 50 years of his life to helping those in mental and spiritual anguish with compassion and empathy. He worked tirelessly for those who did not have a voice, constantly advocating for increased funding and resources to provide more beds and better care for those battling mental illnesses.

In retirement, one of his lasting contributions was to be a steadfast and contributing member of the Titus Harris Society. This excerpt from the President of the Titus Harris Society, Dr. Dan Goggin, beautifully encapsulates the impact that Dr. Bondurant had on his colleagues and students:

"Of course, to all of us Bill, "BB," was our iconic and forever leader: the last practicing psychiatrist of the Titus Harris Clinic, and who for several decades and along with his outstanding secretary, Maria Villarreal, was the backbone secretary/treasurer of the Society. After recovering from multiple myeloma, he brought together a number of us in late 2017, to reinvigorate the Society.

None of us can forget those THS letterhead newsletters by Bill over the many years throughout our practicing careers, which threaded us together as a close-knit, dedicated group of alumni practitioners. Nor can we forget how he engineered so many of our high quality traditional professional meetings, whether large or small, either by himself or with Executive Council planners, or with the Chairs of Psychiatry at UTMB Galveston. During my years as Society president, his soft spoken but earnest directive advice was invaluable, and as with others of us who have similarly served, not forgettable."

In his free time, BB enjoyed spending time with his children and siblings. There were many raucous gatherings around the TV watching the beloved Texas Longhorn football games. His passion for golf was evident to everyone, highlighted by his remarkable achievement of two holes-in-one. In his later years, he enjoyed many travels with family and the Mario pizza gang. He deeply valued his community, particularly his connection with the First Presbyterian Church, and cherished the close friendships that led to shared meals several times a week. Dr. Bondurant also had enduring love and gratitude for Margie Barron who was his constant caregiver and friend for the last five years and at the time of his passing. Dr. "BB" Bondurant was well loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed.

The Celebration of Life will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Galveston, Texas on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers please honor BB's life by contributing to the Towler Fund at the Titus Harris Society at P.O. Box 204, Galveston, Texas, 77550.

Originally published by Galveston County The Daily News on Mar. 13, 2025.