Tributes have been paid to an Ayrshire doctor described as a lovely guy who did so much for his community.
Dr William Gordon Barbour was a well sought-after GP who spent decades looking after residents.
The former GP passed away, aged 94, after a short illness at Crosshouse Hospital on Wednesday, September 22.
Dr Barbour, who retired in 1992, joined the former Hunter Street practice in Prestwick – now known as Station Road Medical Practice – in 1963 after working at at Ballochmyle Hospital where he met Catherine, his wife of 59 years.
Throughout his 29 years at the practice, he was a dedicated GP to many families, often working weekends and going out on call to homes.
His family have been touched by the kind words sent in from the community he served.
Son, Graeme, 57, has told Ayrshire Live: “My dad is well remembered as a GP, he was very committed to his job.
“He was very well respected and loved by patients and colleagues alike.
“He loved his job and being involved in the community.
“There were the days when your family GP was your family GP, there were days he would be on call, he would do a lot of house visits, mainly in the evenings.
“When we announced his death on Facebook we had a lot of nice messages said about him.
“One person wrote, ‘sincere condolences, your dad was a lovely guy who helped so many people in Prestwick’. I thought that was very fitting.”
Dr Barbour was a proud dad-of-four to Graeme, Kenneth, 60, Gill 54, and Susan, who sadly died in 2012 aged 49.
The family man have six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Aside from the busy family and work life, Dr Barbour was a keen climber and has a claim to fame of becoming the 113th person in the world to climb all Munros – a feat achieved in 1973.
Graeme added: “Dad was a very generous, kind and caring man.
“He instilled a love for travel and even took us up some mountains when we were younger.”
The funeral of Dr William Gordon Barbour will take place at Masonhill Crematorium on Thursday, October 7 at 1.15pm.
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