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William M.D.

August 6, 1953 — September 20, 2010

William M.D.

William Craig Wessells, M.D., age 57, died at his home peacefully Monday morning, September 20, 2010.

Born on August 6, 1953 in Nassawadox, Virginia, he was the son of Ellen Bundick Wessells of Modest Town, VA and the late Howard Chandler Wessells.

Craig was a graduate of Parksley High School, Class of 1971 where he was the Valedictorian, a graduate of the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA with a Bachelors of Science degree, Class of 1975 and a graduate of Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia with a Medical Doctorate degree, Class of 1978.

On May 29, 1986 he married the former Deborah Robbins.

His post graduate work was through residencies from 1978 to 1981 in general surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School; 1981-1984 in general psychiatry at Sheppard & Enoch Pratt Hospital; a Fellow from 1983-1984 in child & adolescent psychiatry from University of MD Sheppard & Enoch Pratt Hospital; Chief Fellow from 1984-1985 in child & adolescent psychiatry from University of MD Sheppard & Enoch Pratt Hospital.


Dr. Wessells began his private practice as a psychiatrist in 1985. He had also been employed as a staff psychiatrist for the Caroline County Mental Health Clinic; medical director for Wicomico County Mental Health Clinic; The Holly Center as a consultant; and the Lower Shore Clinic of Salisbury, MD.

Dr. Wessells received his certification in Psychiatry & Neurology in 1985; Child Psychiatry in 1986; Psychiatry with Added Qualification in Geriatric Psychiatry in 1994; and American Board of Forensic Examiners in 1996.

His academic and professional memberships included the American College of Forensic Examiners; American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry; American Psychiatric Association of which he received his Fellow and Distinguished Fellow; Dorchester County Medical Society where he had previously served as Vice President and President; Medical & Chirurgical Faculty of MD; and MD Psychiatric Society.

Dr. Wessells had served as a consultant for the Eastern Shore Hospital Center; Dorchester County Social Services; Supervisor of Trainees, Virginia Board of Professional Counselors; Motor Vehicle Administration Medical Advisory Board; Wicomico County Health Dept.; Chesapeake Youth Center Utilization Review Consultant; Deaf Mental Health Services, Lower Shore; White Oak Drug & Alcohol Unit, Adult Division; Therapeutic Group Home Project; Talbot County Mental Health Clinic; The Holly Center; Eastern Shore Rural Health, Inc.; and served on the Advisory Council for the Intensive Behavioral Unit, Hebron, MD; served on the Board of Directors for the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board and Mid-Shore Mental Health Systems, Inc.

Dr. Wessells had received numerous awards during his professional career including the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from NAMI and life member; National Registry of Who’s Who in 1997; Community Mental Health Award, MD Chapter; American Academy of Pediatrics; Suicide Youth Intervention Project; and Dorchester County Health Dept.

Craig was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Cambridge.

Craig was a great sports enthusiast having coached youth baseball, football and soccer in Dorchester County. He had also played intramural basketball until just a couple of years ago. Craig had also been an avid gardener.

Surviving besides his spouse Debbie R. Wessells of 24 years and mother Ellen Wessells is a son William Hunter Wessells of East New Market, MD; a brother Howard Chandler Wessells, II; sister-in-law Deborah Mason Wessells, both of Parksley, VA; parents-in-law Warren and Jean McWilliams of Rhodesdale, MD; sister-in-law Donna Era; brother-in-law Joseph Era, both of Cambridge, MD; nephew Chandler Wessells III; three nieces Courtney Yates, Amy Wright and Leah Proffitt.

Family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23rd at Grace United Methodist Church, Cambridge, where the service will be held at 1 p.m. Officiating at the service will be The Rev. Jay Hurley, Pastor.
A luncheon will follow at the church, then private entombment will be held at Dorchester Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Howard Chandler Wessells III, Robert Hanson, Robert W. Wessells, Jr., Ray Annis, Mike Campbell and Chandler Wessells.

Born: August 6, 1953
Place of Birth: Nassawadox,, VA USA
Death: September 20, 2010
Place of Death: East New Market, MD USA

Visitation

Thursday September 23, 2010 , 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at Grace United Methodist Church

Funeral Service

Thursday September 23, 2010 , 1:00 PM at Grace United Methodist Church

Flower Deliveries

Thursday September 23, 2010 , 10:00 AM at Grace United Methodist Church

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William M.D., please visit our flower store.

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