William E. R. Greer, Greer, MD

William E.R. Greer, MD, of Westwood, MA and Grantham, NH, formerly of South Natick and Needham, MA, entered into rest Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at his home at Fox Hill Village in Westwood. He was 92 years old.
Born in the Puddle Dock section of Portsmouth, NH, in 1918, he was the son of the late John P. and Ethel M. Greer He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1940 and the Boston University School of Medicine in 1943.
Dr. Greer then joined the U.S. Army Medical Corps in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign until 1946, and was a decorated veteran for his service in World War II. During that time, he attained the rank of captain and served as the Chief of Preventive Medicine of the Philippine Command in the Western Pacific Theater. Among medals awarded to him were two for marksmanship, two Bronze Combat Stars and an Army Commendation Ribbon for Meritorious Service and Superior Performance.
He subsequently went into private practice in Boston, specializing in Internal Medicine and Cardiology. In 1952, he joined the Gillette Company, where he implemented the revolutionary concept of occupational medicine, both directly treating employees and creating total-health programs for its staff worldwide. He retired as Corporate Medical Director from Gillette in 1998.
Dr. Greer was an Associate Professor of Medicine at Boston University, Member of the Board of Trustees of the University Hospital (now Boston Medical Center), and an Associate Visiting Physician of the Boston Medical Center. In addition, he was the former Director of the American Heart Association for Massachusetts. Membership, certifications and recognition included the American Board of Internal Medicine, Fellow, American College of Physicians; Fellow, American College of Preventive Medicine; Fellow, Massachusetts Medical Society; Fellow, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine; Alpha Omega Alpha, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society; Charles River Medical Society, Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine, and Member of the First Heart Panel on Stress and Strain Effects in Heart Disease, American Heart Association. In 1979, he was listed in the first edition of “The Best Doctors in America” and in 1985, he was named by Boston Magazine as one of Boston’s Super Doctors and as One of Five “Doctor’s Doctors.”
Dr. Greer authored and co-authored some 25 published scientific and medical articles and textbook chapters, including the initial publications on Cat Scratch Fever and on the Black Widow Spider.
The Gillette Company medical/surgical Unit at Boston Medical Center was dedicated in Dr. Greer’s name in 1994. Also named in his honor in the 1950’s by his friend and patient Admiral Richard E. Byrd is Greer Peak in Antarctica. On the occasion of his 90th birthday, Dr. Greer received a Congressional Proclamation in recognition of his many years of outstanding service, dedication and deep devotion to both family and country with thanks from a grateful nation.
He leaves his devoted family including his wife, Mary E. “Bettie” Greer of Westwood, MA, a daughter, Dr. Beverly J. Greer of Westboro, MA, sons Dr. Peter R. and his wife Terry Greer of Washington, DC, Scott C. Greer and Thomas Michael Miller of Pittsburgh, PA, and Stuart T. and his wife Barbara T. Greer of Westford, MA. He had four grandchildren, Rebekah Gabor of Vienna, VA, Tucker Greer of Richmond, VA, and Courtney E. and Katherine L. Greer, both of Westford, MA. Dr. Greer was also the great-grandfather of five. He was the brother of the late John D. Greer.
A Funeral Service will be held in the Christ Episcopal Church, 1132 Highland Ave Needham on Saturday, January 15 at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held in the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Ave Needham on Friday from 4 – 7 PM. Interment will take place at Needham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrance in Dr. Greer’s name may be made to the Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, L-219, Boston, MA, 02118 or to the Christ Episcopal Church Memorial Fund.

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