HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. WILLIAM DAVID MYERS

HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. WILLIAM DAVID MYERS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 41 (Wednesday, March 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 4, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E184] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. WILLIAM DAVID MYERS ______ HON. JASON SMITH of missouri in the house of representatives Wednesday, March 4, 2026 Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Dr. William David Myers of Rolla, who passed away on January 26, 2026, at the age of 74, after nearly five decades of devoted service providing quality healthcare to the people of central Missouri. Dr. Myers was inspired to pursue a career in medicine by his family's example. For generations, his father and uncles practiced medicine in the very region he would one day serve. He graduated from Northeast Missouri State University on a pre-medical track and earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. In 1976, he began what would become a remarkable career dedicated to caring for tens of thousands of patients. Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Myers was especially proud of delivering nearly 3,000 babies throughout his career, in a testament to the relationships and trust he built with his patients, some of those children later returned to him as adults to deliver their own children. He built lasting relationships grounded in compassion, humility, and an easygoing sense of humor. Patients and colleagues alike remember his warm manner and steadfast dedication to their well-being. Beyond his medical practice, Dr. Myers was deeply committed to his community. A former high school athlete, he maintained a lifelong passion for youth sports and generously provided free athletic physicals for local students year after year. He believed in investing not only in the health of his patients, but also in the future of his community. Dr. Myers was known for placing the needs of others above his own, seeking neither recognition nor accolades. He was generous with both his time and resources, often accepting no more than a dollar--or even a simple drink--from patients who could not afford care. He quietly organized friends and family to anonymously assist patients struggling to pay for treatment or even provide Christmas gifts for their families. As his nephew beautifully said, ``He was not materially a rich man, but in spirit, my uncle died the richest man in town.'' It is my great privilege to recognize Dr. Myers' extraordinary career and his unwavering service to the people of Missouri before the United States House of Representatives. His life stands as a powerful example of compassion, humility, and selfless dedication to others. ____________________