Beloved faculty member dies; William "Bill" J. Mansfield, Jr. will be missed

After serving his country in World War II as a B-17 crew member in the Army Air Corps, William “Bill” J. Mansfield, Jr. earned a bachelor of arts in biology in 1949 and a doctor of dental medicine degree in 1953 from the University of Louisville. One year after graduation, he began a 56-year teaching career at the UofL School of Dentistry. In 1987, he joined the full-time teaching ranks when he was named acting department chair and acting associate dean. In 1993, Mansfield became director of continuing education which allowed him to plan the annual School of Dentistry Alumni Day, an event he had created in 1984.

“Dr. Bill Mansfield was unquestionably the grandfather of dental education at the University of Louisville,” said John Sauk, DDS, MS, dean, UofL School of Dentistry. “The dental school was one of his most coveted jewels - Bill truly loved dentistry and every dental student was a professional step-son or daughter. We will miss Bill, especially at events such as the White Coat ceremony and graduation where, sitting in the front row, he beamed with pride at the future of the profession.”

Over the years, Mansfield served the profession on state-wide and local levels as vice-president of the Kentucky Dental Association and president of the Louisville Dental Society. He was elected into Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Fraternity at his graduation in 1953, and the American College of Dentists in 1964. He also received recognition from the Kentucky Dental Association and UofL for outstanding teaching and service to the profession. In 2002, Mansfield was presented with the Alumni Service Award and he was honored in 2004 as the School of Dentistry’s Alumni Fellow, one of UofL’s highest alumni accolades.

“Bill Mansfield had a real passion for education,” said Wood Currens, DMD, assistant to the dean for alumni affairs. “He taught dental students and alumni through regional and national continuing education courses; he was known as a caring, wonderful person with a special skill in helping students who struggled academically. Best of all, he was a true friend.”

Mansfield’s son, William Michael Mansfield, followed in his father’s footsteps, as a faculty member at UofL School of Dentistry.

Mansfield died at the Episcopal Church Home on July 24, 2012 with his loved ones by his side.

The William J. Mansfield, Jr. Student Scholarship Fund

Bill meant and did so much for so many. If you would like to assure his love continues in a tangible way, support the scholarship fund his family has created. 

Contributions should be sent to:

The William J. Mansfield, Jr.  Student Scholarship Fund

University of Louisville School of Dentistry

501 S. Preston St. – Room 239

Louisville, KY 40202-1701