It is with the greatest sadness that we announce the loss of Pankey legend and founding member, Dr. Bill Lockard. As one of the original Pankey faculty, we’d like to give tribute to his legacy and impact on dentistry, specifically the Pankey mission and what it has meant to decades of dentists since its inception.

Dr. Myers William Lockard, Jr., who went by “Bill,” meant many things to the Institute and to the people who knew and loved him. Born in Oklahoma City and a child during the Depression, he was pointed toward dentistry by a high school instructor who suggested the career path after learning Dr. Lockard was interested in music.

He met the love of his life, Sue, while attending Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago. After an initial chance encounter, the two were set up on a blind date that signaled the start of a lifetime of romance and joy with their three children and now many grandchildren.

Dr. Lockard was a founding member of The Pankey Institute, serving as Associate Faculty, Advisory Faculty, and on the Board of Trustees. He developed Pankey’s first course for dental assistants and was an active part of the Pankey community for nearly 50 years. In 1984, he lectured in Japan, thereby creating a formative relationship with those dentists. After retiring from practice in 1991, he and Sue provided dental services to nursing homes for many years. As part of his commitment to dentistry, he authored a 2007 book titled, “The Exceptional Dental Practice: Why Good Enough is not Good Enough.”

There are no words that can truly describe the loss of a man who lived such an extraordinary life. He will be missed by the Pankey faculty and alumni who attended his study clubs and dental groups, benefited from his mentorship and advice, or met him during Pankey’s Annual Meeting or other dental meetings. Dr. Lockard was an excellent clinician, educator, and writer for the duration of his career. We have the utmost gratitude for his contribution to the history of dental education and innovation.

At the request of Bill’s children and in memory of his dedication to dental care, donations may be made to the William Lockard Development Fund at the Pankey Institute to further promote excellence in dental faculty. There are three ways to donate:
(1) Call 1-305-428-5500
(2) Mail check payments to: The Pankey Institute, 1 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne, FL, 33149
(3) Donate at online.pankey.org. Register for free and select the “Make a Donation” tab. Dr. Lockard’s Fund is listed on the next page.