William Paul Purcell
- William Paul Purcell, PH.D. 88 of
Memphis, Tennessee passed away on March 23,
2024, after a brief illness.
Bill was born on December 11, 1935, to Amalia
Christina Anderson and William Whittiker Purcell in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After several moves including
Houston and Detroit, his family settled in Memphis where he made his lifelong home. He attended
Christian Brothers High School where he played trumpet in the band. He formed a Dixie Land Jazz group playing gigs in Memphis and New Orleans. As much as he loved music, he wanted to have a more profitable career, therefore he chose Math and Chemistry as his majors. He was offered full scholarships for both. He earned an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Indiana University and a Masters and PH.D. degree in Physical Chemistry from Princeton University.
While at Indiana University, he met his first wife Jeanne Pemberton (Don) and had 3 children, Lisa Stockley, Jennifer Williams, and Barclay Purcell. He also became a devoted stepfather to Virginia Lundin, Lucia Lundin, Philip Lamoreaux and Tommie Lamoreaux.
While in graduate school Dr. Purcell worked at Buckman Laboratories researching cellulose derivatives and synthetic microbicides. In 1963, Dr. Purcell joined the staff at The University of Tennessee (Memphis) where he was a Professor of Medicinal Chemistry. He loved teaching his students and many pharmacists in the State of Tennessee remember his classes where he brought his beloved black labrador, Sam, to class.
From 1975 to 1977 Dr. Purcell took a leave of absence from UT because he was invited and accepted a teaching position at Université de Lausanne, Ecole de Pharmacie, Lausanne, Switzerland. It was in the Swiss Alps where he found his love of skiing and became an expert of the slopes.
He returned to his teaching career at UT. Dr. Purcell was a recognized expert in the field of molecular modeling and pioneer in Quantitative Structure-activity Relationships (QSAR) with his book, a first in this area, entitled “Strategy of Drug Design: A Molecular Guide to Biological Activity” (John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1973).
In 1997 he formed his own company Molecular Design International, Inc.
MEMPHIS
whose business model is an invention engine for human healthcare. His company was successful in having multiple commercial spin outs and successful commercialization deals. Molecular Design International, Inc. continues today after 27 years of profitable business operations, IND approval and over 10 Phase I and phase II SBIR/STTR NIH Grants. His accomplishments in the field are too many to mention but he was most proud of his invention of MDI 101 and MDI 403. He was the sole inventor of these 2 molecules, meaning they were never on the planet before he designed them! Today they are commercially used as anti-aging compounds in the cosmetic industry.
Dr. Purcell traveled around the world and spoke many languages, He adored Paris, India, and Germany. He often took his family with him to the Colorado mountains, riding horses, fly fishing and pheasant hunting in Montana. He, his son and grandson spent time in Africa exploring wildlife and getting to know the people of the villages. For 7 years he would take his 3 adult children to a spa retreat in Arizona where they could relax and reconnect. He especially enjoyed the company of his Grandson, Jack, whom he took to dinner every Thursday sharing their weekly activities, laughs and ending the evening with ice cream from Baskin Robbins.
He was active until the end. Practicing Yoga, playing tennis with his cherished Saturday tennis group, fishing and occasionally demonstrating his tango abilities to anyone who would watch. Bill commanded the room with the fantastic stories of his adventurous life. His presence will be missed by all.
Dr. William P. Purcell was predeceased by William Whittiker Purcell, Amalia Christina Purcell, his adored sister, Mickie Teeter and bigger-than-life brother-in-law Chuck Teeter. He is survived by Lisa Stockley (Jay), Jennifer Williams, Barclay Purcell (Tina); his grandchildren Grace Pipkin (Daniel), Ellen Bolam (Chris), Ivy Thomas, Madeline Dering (Ben), Elisabeth Stockley, Jack Stockley, Abigail Purcell, Will Purcell; great-grandchildren Eve Pipkin, Luke Pipkin, and the newest addition Beckett Dering. He had many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews scattered about the country who knew him as Bogan and loved him dearly. His beloved black lab Rhett, has to be included in the list of family as he was always by his side.
He was a dear friend to many as an active member of Bill W for 37 years. There will be a Celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Midsouth Sober Living and Thrive Foundation, both organizations that were near to his heart.