Dr. William Albert "Bill" Young, age 68, a resident of Asheville for 16 years, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes Sunday the 25th of July at Mission Hospital in Asheville.

Bill was born in Hancock, MI in 1953 to William and Judith Young and spent his childhood in Menomonee Falls, WI. He received a Bachelor of Science from the United States Air Force Academy in 1975 and a Doctor of Medicine from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1979. Dr. Young served as a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in the United States Air Force for twenty years, retiring from active duty in 1995 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His military decorations include the Air Force Achievement Medal, Medical Corps Badge, Parachutist Badge, and numerous unit and service awards. Following his military career he continued practicing medicine, first in Myrtle Beach, SC and most recently with AdventHealth in Hendersonville, NC, until his retirement in 2018.

Bill met his wife, then-Major Kathleen "Kathy" Thomas, an Air Force Nurse, in 1989 while stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS. They married in 1991 and, during their nearly 30 years of marriage, made many friends and memories in Ocean Springs, MS; Myrtle Beach, SC; and Asheville, NC.

Dr. Young was a longtime member of the Country Club of Asheville and was an exceptionally accomplished golfer, winning numerous club championships and holes-in-one during his life. He was a meticulous collector of antique and vintage items, especially clocks and cars, and possessed a famously sharp sense of humor. He will be remembered by his family and friends as a loving husband, father, brother, son, skillful jack of all trades, and craftsman with the ability to learn and excel at new skills with ease.

Bill is survived by his wife of 29 years, Kathy, also of Asheville; son Bill and his fiancé Rose of Silver Spring, MD; son Thom of Kansas City, MO; mother Judy of Green Bay, WI; sister Diane Taylor and her husband John, also of Green Bay; sister Patty Manier and her husband Bob of Madison, WI; sister Sue Micheal and her husband Ron of Merrillan, WI; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased by his father, William F. "Bill" Young.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution to the Asheville Humane Society. 

Citizen-Times, Asheville, North Carolina  |  August 2021