On 18 February 1943 William Ott, aged 19 years old, went to Houston, Texas and enlisted in the U. S. Army. Fold3 tells us he was in the Medical Administrative Corps. After the war he did become a doctor. His obituary tells us he served in the Army Air Corps. At some time he became a pilot. His obituary says he served in the China – Burma – India Theater. He served until 26 March 1946 and remained in the Army Reserves.
Dr. William Mayo Ott
18 October 1923 LA – 24 October 1996 TX
Son of W. O. Ott & Margaret Jane Smith
World War II, Army Air Corps
William's obituary:
Services for Dr. William Mayo Smith, 73, longtime Kilgore physician, will be 2 p. m. Saturday, Oct, 26, 1996, at the Rader Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Buddy Duggins, Father Mark Kusmirek and Deacon Bill Holda officiating. The burial will follow in the Kilgore Cemetery. Dr. Ott died in his home surrounded by family on Oct. 24 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Bogalusa, La., Oct. 18, 1923 and was raised in Fort Worth, Texas.
He attended Texas A & M University and joined the Army Air Corps at the onset of World War II, serving in the China – Burma – India Theater.
He completed his education at the University of North Texas and graduated from Southwestern University Medical School in 1954. After completing an Internship at Baylor University Hospital, he established his general practice in Kilgore where he practiced medicine for 38 years.
He was a member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, and the Gregg County Medical Association. Dr. Ott served as a Chief od Staff at Laird Memorial Hospital and was awarded a Life Membership to the Texas medical Association. He was also a designated FAA Aviation Medical Examiner.
Dr. Ott participated in many activities which involved his children and grandchildren. His hobbies included sailing, where he was one of the founding members of the Tyler Yacht Club, and golfing. He was also a longtime pilot and member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Brennan Ott; six daughters, Jane Lane of Liberty City, Patricia Irving of Kilgore, Liz Jodry of Magnolia, Kathryn Toon of Kilgore, Laura Nivin of Plano and Lynn Ott of Plano; three sons, Bill, Jim and John Ott, all of Kilgore; four sons – in – law, Mark Lane, Mike Jodry, Steve Toon and Steve Nivin; two daughters – in – law, Debbie Allen Ott, and Judith Dupree Ott; sisters, Jane Taylor of Mexico, Peggy Willing of Anchorage, Alaska, and Mary Ann Bynum of Williamsburg, Va.; nine grandchildren, Chris and Amy Ott, Lindsey and Clint Toon, Sarah and Chelsea Irving, Hunter Pollard, Jackson Lane and Matthew Jodry.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. William Oscar Ott, his brother, Dr. David Ott, and daughter, Mary Kathleen Ott.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the charity of choice.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday evening between 6 – 7 p. m.
Sources:
Dr. William Mayo Ott. (Longview, TX: Longview News – Journal, 25 Oct 1996) 30; Newspapers.com: accessed May 2022.
Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File; digital record, Fold3.com: accessed May 2022, William Ott.
World War II Army Enlistment Records; digital record, Fold3.com: accessed May 2022, William Ott.
