Dr. William McLellan Ashe, 94, of Salado died Nov. 25, 2008 at his home. He was born November 7, 1914, in Sharon, Pennsylvania to Carl Frederick Ashe and Katie McLellan. 

Dr. Ashe graduated the University Of Rochester School Of Medicine in 1942 and just prior to graduating married his wife of 66 years Patricia Hope Hagaman.  Dr. Ashe completed his internship at Passavant Memorial Hospital in Chicago and his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.  He specialized in Thoracic Surgery and performed the first open heart surgery at Children’s Hospital Dallas, Texas.  

Dr. William Ashe was a Navy Veteran of World War II, serving  as a physician on the Battleship USS Wisconsin and a veteran of the Korean Conflict where he served as a surgeon.  He remained in the Naval Reserves, serving his last duty at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  Upon moving to Salado, Dr. Ashe worked at the VA in Temple, Texas.  He was  1976 President of the Salado Chamber of Commerce which carried Mayoral duties before incorporation and the first President of the Salado Historical Society.

Preceded in death by his parents and daughter Sibby Slaton, Dr. Ashe’s survivors include: his wife Patricia of Salado; son Bill Ashe of Dallas, Texas; daughters Sue Wetsel of Pagosa Springs, Colorado and Kay Wood of Ft. Worth, Texas; brother John Ashe of Chicago, Ill.; sister Ruth Saparito of Florida; 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.     

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: American Heart Association P.O. Box 841125 Dallas, Texas 75281-1125. 

Broecker Funeral Home of Salado is in charge of arrangements.