William D. Horton, M.D., FACS – Otolaryngologist

“I’ve always wanted to be a doctor.”  That was a consistent theme in Dr. Horton’s life as he grew up.  Change was the constant, as his family moved from Norfolk, Virginia to Midway Island in the Pacific and Huntsville, Alabama. He then lived in Memphis, Tennessee and Butzbach, West Germany before settling in Collierville, Tennessee. After graduating from high school, he arrived in Knoxville to attend the University of Tennessee and fell in love with East Tennessee. With a degree from UT in hand, he returned to Memphis for his MD degree from the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences.

In his fourth year of study, a friend encouraged him to shadow the chairman of the ENT department. The day started at Lebonheur Children’s Hospital and ended at Baptist Hospital, where ear and nasal surgery completed the day. He had found his life’s work. Moving on, Dr. Horton completed a residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

In 1988, he moved his family to Knoxville and joined the practice of Drs Richard Depersio and Robert Crawley. While enjoying the breadth of ENT surgery, he became interested in allergy and the field of rhinology. This interest led to becoming a fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy and member of the American Rhinologic Society. Dr Horton attends regular meetings of these organizations around the country and internationally.

Together, he and his wife, Mary have 3 beloved dogs and 5 adult children who are scattered around the country.  Dr. Horton enjoys golf, gardening, cooking, and travelling.