Roxbury veteran and Whittier St. dentist dies

William Benjamin Markham Jr., originally from Durham, NC, died recently. He was the first born of the late Willa Malone Markham and William Benjamin Markham Sr. The Markhams left Durham to live in Boston, and WIlliam attended Boston English High School, graduating with honors. He played on a semi-pro baseball team that traveled through Canada and the U.S. He attended Johnson C. Smith University where he was captain of the football and boxing teams. He also joined the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, becoming the polemarch of the Alpha Epsilon Chapter as well as senior vice polemarch of his region.

He graduated and went on to defend his country during WWII as a master sergeant. When he returned from the war, he attended Meharry Dental School. After he graduated dental school, he moved to New York where he met his future wife, Gloria Markham.

William headed the children’s dental unit at Whittier Street Clinic. In his own private practice, he was known for his kind and caring ways. He never turned anyone away. “Pay me when you can” was his attitude.

He leaves behind his wife Gloria, his daughter Michelle, his son William, his son-in-law Steve, his grandson Tim, his sisters, cousins, nephews, nieces, friends and other family.