Dr. William Orville Irvine

Dr. William Orville Irvine, a devoted father, grandfather, great grandfather, orthopaedic surgeon, and passionate steward of life in all its forms, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2025, at the age of 89.

Born on August 13, 1935, in Elmira, New York, to Helen Nixon Irvine and John Livingston Irvine, Bill grew up with a deep sense of family, integrity, and curiosity about the world around him. He was one of four siblings and is predeceased by his brothers, Jim and John Irvine. He is survived by his sister, Jane Irvine Thomas, and his sister-in-law, Ann Irvine.

Bill was married to Sandra Ann Irvine, with whom he raised five children. He later shared chapters of his life in marriage with Sharon Irvine and, subsequently, with Sarah Irvine, each relationship bringing companionship and meaning to his journey.

Bill was a devoted and generous father to Mary Helen Irvine, Bill Orville (Katie) Irvine Jr., Kathryn Louise Irvine, Thomas Carl Irvine, and Paul Livingston Irvine. His legacy continues through his cherished grandchildren: Ashley Ruiz Radosevic, Langdon Ruiz, and Ella Sandra Ann Irvine (mother, Karen Kuhn) as well as great grandchildren Alec Irvine Radosevic and Andrew Nikola Radosevic. Throughout his life, he took pride in organizing memorable family trips—from vacations in Casey Key, Florida where his mother built a home, to the snowy slopes in Vail, Colorado where he attended OrthoIndy medical conferences. His children share memories of epoch ski trips with the Elliott family. Bill took his family on meaningful journeys to Ireland, Wyoming and Canada and organized family reunions every summer at his beloved home in Brown County, Indiana.

A graduate of Purdue University, Bill went on to earn his medical degree from Indiana University, setting the stage for an accomplished 50-year career in orthopaedic surgery. As a founding member of Orthopaedics Indianapolis—now OrthoIndy—he helped build one of the most respected orthopaedic practices in the country. Dr. Irvine also served on the Indiana State Board of Health's Board of Directors and was team physician for the Indiana Racers, combining his medical skill with his love of sports and community.

A spiritual man and lover of all things nature, Bill was inspired by the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi. His love for animals and nature was evident in the way he cared for wildlife and the land he called home. He built a residence in Brown County, Indiana, overlooking Hidden Valley Lake, where he happily worked the land on his tractors, cared for wildlife, tended a vast vegetable garden, and nurtured a sanctuary for animals including rescued dogs, baby deer and owls. A statue of St. Francis stood as a silent guardian on his hilltop, overlooking the wildlife sanctuary that is Hidden Valley lake and woods.

Bill was a lifelong learner with a passion for genealogy, tracing the roots of the Irvine clan across Ireland and Scotland. He found great joy in visiting the countryside cottages of distant relatives and sharing these ancestral connections with his family. A man of deep character, he valued honesty and fairness, and always sought meaningful relationships over superficial ones.

He welcomed neighbors, fraternity brothers, artists, and friends into his home, hosting reunions in Brown County and Florida that reflected his warm hospitality and love for connection.

Dr. William O. Irvine lived a life rich with purpose, compassion, and adventure. He will be remembered for his unwavering integrity, his deep respect for all living things, his love of family, and his tireless commitment to healing.

A service will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Brown County, where his legacy lives on in the land, the wildlife, and the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Rest well, Bill. You were a special man.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 25th at 10:00 am at St. Agnes Catholic Church: 1008 McLary Road Nashville, IN 47448. A private graveside service will be held at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Indianapolis. Arrangements have been entrusted to Meredith-Clark Funeral Home in Morgantown.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the Irvine family at meredith-clark.com

For flower orders, local shops are Critser's Flowers & Gifts located in Morgantown, Michael's Flowers located in Nashville or you can order directly through the funeral home website. They will all bring flowers to the church for the service.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. William Orville Irvine, please visit our floral store.