Roll Call Tribute

Bill T. Bautsch, Jr., M.D. 

February 5, 1955 - January 7, 2025 

Bill Theodore Bautsch, Jr., M.D., was born in Houston, Texas to Dorothy and Bill T. Bautsch, Sr., where he spent most of his childhood. He had an early calling in life to become a physician. He received his college degree from Texas A & M University in 1977 where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. degree in Zoology. Bill received his medical degree at the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston in 1982. He then completed his residency training in Internal Medicine in 1985 at St. Paul University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Bautsch maintained board certification in this specialty throughout his career. After a brief practice in Texas, he relocated to the Florida Panhandle where he spent decades pursuing his passion as a physician. He was a member of the American College of Physicians and the Southern Medical Association. He held several positions within the medical field and last served as site medical director for Centurion Health at five facilities across the Florida Panhandle.

Bill’s passion for medicine was immeasurable. God gave him the gift of being a healer and through medicine he was able to touch and save many lives. He was a hard worker, and he dedicated his life to healing his patients, many of whom he considered his friends and he always showed a genuine interest and deep concern for their well-being. His joy for life and caring heart was something to be admired and he never met a stranger. When he was not caring for patients, he was an avid gardener. He enjoyed landscaping, planting and harvesting; he found solace in nature. Bill was also a passionate animal lover who rescued numerous animals, some of which he adopted and is survived by two rescues, Willie and Wilma.

He was preceded in death by his father, Bill T. Bautsch, Sr. and his sister, Cynthia Bautsch.

Bill is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Jean Marie. He was a loving and devout father to his daughter, Brady Jean Ogle (Michael). He is also survived by his mother, Dorothy W. Bautsch and his sister, Debra A. Bautsch. Bill is also survived by Lauren Spellman (Chad), Matthew Popwell, Lillian Saviskas and three grandchildren, Selah, Shepard and Sophia Spellman.

His wife, Jean, would like to acknowledge and express her heartfelt gratitude for the compassionate care received at Ascension Sacred Heart, Emerald Coast Hospice and Vitas Hospice facilities.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at a later date.