William Paul Sawyer, Accomplished Physician, Dies at 76

William Paul Sawyer passed peacefully from this world with his wife by his side on Sunday, August 31, 2025 in Tallahassee, FL. 

Paul was born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 5, 1949 to Charles Glenn and Betsy Ivey Sawyer. The oldest of four children, Paul was raised in Winston-Salem, NC. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Davidson College (1971) and attended medical school at UNC-Chapel Hill (1975). Residency brought him to the University of Florida where he met and fell in love with Jonette Muszynski, who was by his side as his wife and best friend for the past 49 years. 

Paul and Jonette started their married life together by moving cross country to San Diego, CA. There, Jonette worked as a nurse while Paul served two years as a ship’s doctor in the U.S. Navy touring the South Pacific and as an emergency room physician at Balboa Naval Hospital. In 1978, they returned to Gainesville, FL, where Paul completed his residency and they welcomed their first child, Nikki. 

Paul and Jonette moved to Tallahassee, FL in 1982 to begin Paul’s career as a urologist. They grew their family with the addition of two sons, Glenn and Peter. A dedicated physician, Paul loved taking care of people. It seemed impossible for him to be out in Tallahassee and not be greeted by a thankful patient. 

Over the course of his career, Paul served two terms on the Medical Executive Committee and as Chairman of the Medical Staff at Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center. He served as President of the Florida Urological Society, board member of the Southeast Section of the American Urological Society, and managing partner of the Southeastern Urological Center. He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Tallahassee. Upon retiring from private practice in 2015, he practiced part-time at the VA clinic. He served on the vestry for St. John’s Episcopal Church, where he had been a member since 1982. Paul was a Founding Member of the Tallahassee Sette of Odd Volumes and enjoyed membership in the Colonels and the Cotillion Club. 

Paul loved spending time with his three children and their families and was a doting grandfather to his three “grand girls.” His children knew he had been called into the hospital overnight when there was a box of fresh Krispy Kreme doughnuts on the table in addition to his usual daily preparation of a hot breakfast for the family. He taught all of his children how to hook a grouper, back up a boat trailer, and slalom ski – but also the importance of pitching in on washing the dishes and mowing the lawn. 

While his happy place was Alligator Point, FL surrounded by family and friends, Paul liked an adventure. He enjoyed hiking and camping with his family in the Florida Keys, California, the Pacific Northwest, the Canadian Rockies and Maine. In recent years, he and Jonette traveled everywhere from Poland and Syria to Cape Horn and China. 

Embodying his philosophy of “work hard, play hard,” Paul happily woke up in the dark of morning to meet his walking buddies for a before-sunrise walk, and was always game for pickle ball or a round of golf. He made lamps from clay, carved bowls from tree branches, crafted elegant wooden pens on the lathe, and dabbled in drawing and painting. He loved telling and hearing a great story. He was top-notch company for any occasion. 

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control describe Paul’s spirit. We will miss him dearly. 

Paul is survived by his wife Jonette; his daughter Nikki, her husband North Moore, and their daughters Isabel, Imogen and Sawyer of Charlotte, NC; his son Glenn and his partner Heather Akers of Evergreen, CO; his son Peter and his partner Elizabeth Stoutamire of New Orleans, LA; and his dog, Mia, his constant companion and favorite snacking partner. 

Paul is also survived by his brother Chris Sawyer and his wife Julie of Atlanta, GA; by his brother Jon Sawyer and his wife Kem of Washington, DC; by his sister Elizabeth Sawyer Kelly and her husband Bill of Winston-Salem, NC; by beloved cousins, in-laws, nieces, and nephews; by Barbara Ellis of Lloyd, FL; and by the many people who were lucky enough to call Paul a friend. 

The family extends their sincere gratitude to Dr. Michael Forsthoefel, the doctors, nurses and staff at Big Bend Hospice, and Paul’s compassionate team of caregivers. 

A funeral service is scheduled for 3 PM on Thursday, September 18th at St. John’s Episcopal Church. A reception will follow in Alfriend Hall. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Paul’s memory may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church Foundation (211 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301) or Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Foundation (TMHFoundation.org or TMH Foundation, 1331 East 6th Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32303).