Walter M.D.

Walter G. “Watt” Efird, III, M.D. , 57, passed away October 14, 2014. He was born December 20, 1956, in Raleigh North Carolina. His family moved to Memphis from Charlotte, North Carolina in 1968. He graduated from Memphis University School in 1975 where he was a member of the National Honor Society. He attended the University of Tennessee Knoxville where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. In 1979, he received his Bachelor of Science degree with high honors. He attended Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans and received his medical degree in 1983. Upon graduation, he returned to Memphis, where he completed his internship and residency in General Surgery at the University of Tennessee Memphis Center for the Health Sciences in 1988. In 1990, he completed a fellowship in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Tennessee Memphis Center for the Health Sciences, and entered private practice. In 1997, he opened a solo practice in Germantown, The Efird Clinic for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Efird was board certified by both the American Board of General Surgery and the American Board of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. He was a member of the Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons, the Southeastern Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons, the Aesthetic Society for Plastic Surgery and was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He was also a member of the American Medical Association, the Tennessee Medical Association and the Memphis & Shelby County Medical Society. He was licensed in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas, and practiced in the area for 28 years. Throughout his medical career, his outstanding surgical skills, and kind, caring and compassionate nature touched and changed many lives. He is fondly remembered by his many patients, colleagues and the many residents that he mentored. He was a member of Second Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his three children: son Walter Guy IV of Memphis, daughter Hayley Elizabeth of Atlanta, and son Tyler Harris of Memphis. He is also survived by his father George Hampton Efird of Memphis, his brother George Hampton Efird, Jr. (Lynn) of Charlotte, North Carolina, and his former wife Claudia Crothers Efird of Memphis. He is preceded in death by his mother Lucille Palmer Efird and his brother William Palmer Efird. Visitation will be held Friday at 10:00 a.m. at Memphis Funeral Home Poplar Chapel with a memorial service following at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service officiated by Rev. John Futterer will be at 11:30 AM, Saturday, October 18, 2014 at Fairview Memorial Park, 1425 East Main Street, Albemarle, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital or the charity of your choice.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Efird family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com