Dr. William Mayher, retired Albany neurosurgeon and former aviation commission chair, dies at 77

ALBANY — Dr. William Mayher III, a retired Albany neurosurgeon, board chair for Gray TV and former Albany-Dougherty Aviation Commission Chair, died Sunday in Athens at the age of 77.

After graduating from the University of Georgia in 1960, and the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) in 1964, Mayher worked as a neurosurgeon in Albany from 1970 to 1998. He served as chairman of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, chairman of the MCG Foundation Board and had recently stepped down as the aviation commission chair.

His work as a surgeon and on the aviation commission resulted in many interactions with retired orthopedic surgeon Dr. Charles Gillespie, who described Mayher as “a very good friend” who would be greatly missed.

Family members described him as an avid lover of aviation. He earned his pilot’s license at the age of 15, and after 52 years of flying, the Federal Aviation Administration presented him with the Wright Bros. Master Pilot Award to acknowledge more than 55,000 flying hours of piloting.

Recalling his relationship with Mayher, Gillespie affirmed his experience as a pilot and qualification for the airport commission by telling The Albany Herald on Tuesday of the time he used a military plane to fly Gillespie around so that he could get aerial photos.

“I found him to be an honest and forthright person,” Gillespie said. “His talent as a surgeon was exceptional.”

There were many stories Gillespie said he could tell about Mayher, so he did not want to pick just one — but he did emphasize the level of commitment Mayher had, and the magnitude of responsibility and knowledge he was able to maintain.

“He was always very thorough and precise. His professional voice always came out when talking to the tower,” Gillespie said. “He is a good man, and will be missed. He was respected with all the positions he had. To have all that at one time is amazing.”

Mayher also served with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame Board. He had served as the chairman of the board of Gray TV since 1993.

Hilton Howell, vice chair and president/CEO of Gray TV, said the service Mayher provided to the company was invaluable, even while his health was fading, Mayher was instrumental in the national growth Gray has seen, Howell said.

“He will be missed deeply,” Howell said. “He was always a man of steady wisdom. He was a remarkable man, and a (person) like him does not come around often,” he said. “I don’t know if his shoes can be filled.”

Mayher was born in Columbus, and was the son of a physician. He was preceded in death by his son, Dr. Brant E. Mayher.

Funeral service will be held today at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 11 a.m, with a private graveside service to be held at a later date.