William G. Hafner, M.D.

June 18, 2016

Dr. Hafner was born in Syracuse, New York, September 12, 1921.  His early years were spent on his parent’s vegetable farm.  He graduated from Liverpool High School in 1940.  It was during his high school years that he developed a major interest in science.  This in turn led him to consider becoming a physician.

Following graduation from high school, he attended Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts, where he matriculated in the pre-medical program.  After marriage to Margaret Lenore Smith, Dr. Hafner attended Loma Linda University School of Medicine.  He took a rotating internship at San Bernardino County Hospital.  This was followed by two years of military service as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force.

Having completed military service, Dr. Hafner established a family practice in Weedsport, New York.  After several years, due to health problems, he pursued a residency in public health and preventive medicine, which included a post-doctoral master’s degree from Harvard University School of Public Health.  Becoming board certified in the specialty of public health, Dr. Hafner served 20 years with the New York State Department of Health, first as a District Health Officer in Syracuse, and later as Regional Health Director in Rochester.

While serving at Syracuse, he was also a part-time assistant clinical professor of medicine in the Department of Preventive Medicine at S.U.N.Y. Upstate Medical Center.  He was also president of the N.Y.S. Public Health Association during 1968-1969 and a lifetime member of the American Medical Association.  Dr. Hafner’s hobbies included photography, classical music, and gardening.  He was a member of the Auburn Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

In his final years of life, Dr. Hafner was grateful for the friendship and support of Dr. David Wohlers (a cousin by marriage).  The nearest surviving relative is cousin Frederick J. Hafner, Jr.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 26th in the Auburn Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 56 Prospect Avenue, Auburn.  Dr. Hafner will be laid to rest next to his wife (of nearly 70 years)in Riverview Cemetery, Baldwinsville.

Contributions may be made to: International Children’s Care, P.O. Box 820610, Vancouver, WA. 98682

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