William Zachery Bridges

Published 10:59 am Wednesday, February 12, 2025

William Zachery Bridges of Thomasville, Georgia, died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by family on January 22, 2025, at the age of ninety, following a prolonged illness.

Bill was born at home in Brinson, Georgia, delivered by his grandfather on November 11, 1934, the son of the late Zachery Harlin Bridges and the late Mildred Tennille Bridges. He graduated from Bainbridge High School and had very fond memories of his youth and upbringing in the small colorful town of Brinson. Up to the time of his death, Spring Creek and his adventures in Brinson remained foremost in his memory.

Following two years of undergraduate studies, Bill was accepted to the Naval Aviation School in Pensacola, Florida in 1954. He successfully completed his training and served for four years in the United States Navy. The highlight of his service was his time aboard the USS Princeton, where he flew F9 Cougar fighter jets on multiple missions throughout the Pacific. His time spent in the Navy was a seminal event in his life and he remained extremely proud of his Naval service for the entirety of his life.

Following the completion of his service, Bill returned to Georgia to complete his undergraduate education at Emory University. It was in Atlanta where he met his future wife, Mary Lou Potts. They were wed on December 20, 1959, in Moultrie, Georgia and were married for 66 years.

Bill then enrolled in Emory University Medical School and graduated in 1963. He completed an internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida in 1964, a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD in 1965 and an ophthalmology residency at Emory in 1968. He practiced general ophthalmology for over 40 years in both Winter Park, Florida and Thomasville, Georgia. He was a highly respected ophthalmic surgeon and cared deeply for his patients and his community. He was a diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and a member of both the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Georgia Society of Ophthalmology. He had a tremendous gratitude for the education he received at Emory and remained a driving force with both fundraising and development of the Emory Eye Center throughout his career. He served on the oversight committee for the construction of the current facility of the Eye Center and was also past President of the Emory Eye Alumni Association.

Outside of Ophthalmology, Bill’s other passion was golf. He enjoyed all aspects of the game and was a member of both Glen Arven Country Club in Thomasville and Highlands Country Club in Highlands, North Carolina. He had a particular fondness for the history and traditions of Glen Arven and served as its President. He counted among his golf highlights playing many challenging courses throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. Buying and selling golf clubs consumed much of his time and interest for over five decades. His love for the game of golf and its history was palpable, and he handed this love down to his children and grandchildren.

Bill was an exceptionally devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by Mary, his loving wife of 66 years and by his three devoted children; Tracy Bridges Jones (Mike) of Thomasville, Georgia, William Zachery Bridges, Jr., M.D. (Lisa) of Asheville, North Carolina, and Elizabeth Bridges Bracken (Chris) of Thomasville, Georgia; and seven adoring grandchildren (Maizie, Lillie, Caroline, Lucie, Will, Sims and Gibbes). He is also survived by his younger brother Tommy Harlin Bridges (Kathy) of Columbus, Georgia. He was extraordinarily proud of his entire family and considered them to be his life’s finest accomplishment.

Respecting Bill’s wishes, a small private family memorial celebrating his life will be held in Brinson, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial gift in his memory might consider the Emory Eye Center (https://together.emory.edu/give?q=eye). The Bridges family would like to warmly thank the staff and hospice nurses of Legacy Village at Manor Plantation for their faithful attention and care during his extended illness. Allen and Allen funeral home is assisting the family.