Sanford Dentist Establishes Scholarship In Memory of Long-time Friend, Dr. Charles William "Bill" Tulloch

Lynn Smith '64 MS ORTHO, an orthodontist in Sanford, N.C., says his best friend for more than 30 years was Charles William "Bill" Tulloch '62 a general dentist in Broadway, N.C. So when lung cancer took Tulloch's life on February 6, Smith decided the best way to honor his friend was to establish the Dr. Charles William "Bill" Tulloch Memorial Scholarship with the Dental Foundation of North Carolina Inc. The endowed scholarship fund will provide a need-based scholarship for a DDS student at the UNC School of Dentistry each year.

"You do what you have a passion for," Smith says. "Bill had the same love for dentistry and people that I have. He loved the school and was a superb dentist. Honoring him with a scholarship fund was the most fitting way to remember what he brought to the profession."

Tulloch, who practiced general dentistry for 36 years, supported the school and its programs wholeheartedly. After graduating from UNC in 1962, he enlisted in the US Air Force, and then moved to Broadway to open his private practice just two years later.

Smith met Tulloch in 1970, when Smith was pursuing his masters in orthodontics at the UNC School of Dentistry. Smith and Tulloch shared patients and a love of golf for 27 years. As an orthodontist, Smith received countless referrals from Tulloch. And as a golfer, he says he received many tips.

Tulloch's wife, Judy, who teaches remedial English at East Lee Middle School in Sanford, says her husband and Smith had a wonderful relationship. "They were best friends," she says. "Lynn's wife and I were always amazed that when they got on the phone, they never talked less than an hour. That is, unless it was to say 'I'm coming to pick you up for golf,'" she recalls with a laugh. Tulloch and Smith played together in the Dental Foundation's annual golf tournament every year. Tulloch's golf partner is not the only one who will miss him.

"Anybody will tell you that Bill had a heart bigger than this building," Smith says. "Anybody who had a need would go see Bill Tulloch."

Tulloch had three children -- Debbie, Billy and Skeeter. He was a member of the Broadway Lions Club and served as its president for two years. He also was the recipient of the Lion of the Year Award twice. He was a member of and held offices in the Boy Scouts of America, the Lee County Dental Society, the American Dental Association, the North Carolina Dental Society and the Lee County Board of Recreation. The Broadway community named him Grand Marshall of its annual Christmas parade in 2000.

Judy says her husband's passion for dentistry was so strong that she cannot imagine a better way to honor him than by permanently linking his name with the school.

"Bill used to always say to his co-workers: 'You aren't just treating patients, you're treating people," Judy says. "Bill wanted to be sure his staff knew that they were not just fixing teeth. He loved his work and he loved the people he worked for."

Anyone interested in contributing to the Dr. William "Bill" Tulloch Memorial Scholarship can contact Paul Gardner, Executive Director, Dental Foundation of North Carolina, at (919) 966-2731.

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