Dr. William James (Bill) Follette, of West Palm Beach, Fla., and formerly of Englewood, N.J., and Edgartown, died Thursday, May 20.

He graduated from the University of Buffalo in 1938 and from the Medical School of the University of New York at Buffalo in 1942. He served as a surgeon with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. His training in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery took place at Buffalo General Hospital and Millard Filmore Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y., and the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital and The Pack Medical Foundation in New York, N.Y. He practiced surgery and was on the staff of the Englewood Hospital from 1949 to 1977, eventually serving as chief of the medical staff. He was a fellow of the American and International Colleges of Surgeons, the American Academy of Plastic Surgery, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, the American Society of Head and Neck Surgery and the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

He was a member of the Edgartown Yacht Club, the Edgartown Reading Room, the Chappaquiddick Beach Club and the Edgartown Golf Club. He was a member of the Tenakill Masonic Lodge #266, F. & A.M. of New Jersey and a member of the Valley of Northern New Jersey, Scottish Rite Masons.

Dr. Follette was married for 64 years to Della Walters Follette, who died on June 14, 2006. He is survived by his two daughters, Sherry Follette Tift and her husband, Bill of Macon, Ga., and Debby Follette-Culbertson of Raleigh, N.C.; grandchildren Lori Tift Palmer and her husband, Richard, Toby Follette Tift and his wife, Jaime, William Lee Perkins Tift and his wife, Kacey, Wendy Culbertson Ray and her husband, Mark, Amanda Culbertson and Ashley Culbertson; and great-grandchildren Tift Palmer, Andrew Palmer, Thomas Tift, Tyler Tift, Matt Tift, Cole Perkins Tift, Kayleigh Manansala, Sophie Manansala, Eloise Rice, Charles Ray and Caroline Ray. He is also survived by good friend Angie Patterson.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 6 at the St. Joseph’s Chapel at the McKeen Towers, 311 S. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, Fla. The Rev. Paul Manning of the McKeen Towers and Dr. Robert Norris, Pastor of the Royal Poinciana Chapel, will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are under the care of Quattlebaum Funeral Home in West Palm Beach, Fla.