Part Three

Doc’s love of boating transitioned to a desire to fly, and in his usual fashion, he took lessons and became a private pilot. In just a few months he quickly progressed through the requirements to become a commercial pilot, an instrument-rated pilot, and then a multi-engine rated pilot. At that point Doc decided to sell his boat and buy a single-engine plane.

The first year he owned his plane, he took his wife and son to Disneyland for his son’s birthday. Along the way he made stops at the chiropractic colleges: Logan, Chicago, Palmer, and Los Angeles. He fondly remembers his son getting a coon-skin cap as a souvenir. The following year he took his family to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The third year, the now experienced travelers flew to Nassau and the Bahamas. The fifth year, Doc decided he needed a new plane and bought a twin engine Comanche. He flew his crew to South America, landing in Puerto Rico, the Windward Islands, Surinam, Brazil (landing in Rio, Sugarloaf, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aries) and back to the Bahamas. During these trips he and his family had amazing adventures and met fascinating people.

In order to fit in vacation time Doc and another chiropractor worked each other’s practice three days a week for one month each year. Doc and his family used their time to fly out to see more of the world, including a trip to South America, starting in San Juan to the Virgin Islands and Dutch Ghana where they stayed at a hotel owned by the Speaker for the House of Parliament. The owner of the hotel sent a limo to pick them up at their hotel and drive them to his home for a meal of South American delicacies and a tour of the bush country. He then took them by ferry to Devil’s Island Prison. From there they flew to Brazil and Rio to land near the Christ of the Andes statue. At that stop there was a celebration taking place with little umbrella candles floating above. The vision of those candles still brings a sparkle to Doc’s eyes. Argentina was their next stop and Doc had to get special permission to land due to the current revolution. Before Doc left on this trip, his airplane representative had given him a list of people who worked at airports around the world. These names came in handy, especially in Argentina where they were met by intimidating guards, but when Doc mentioned the name he had in hand... it turned out it was the man who owned the airport. They received royal treatment and a tour of Buenos Aires.

Listening to Doc as he describes his adventures is a special event. He talks of the people, the culture, the unique individuals who showed extraordinary hospitality, the close calls, the funny moments (of which there are many) and his drive to be a part of each adventure. Doc is not a spectator. He is a participant and a spirited leader of each quest. His eyes sparkle when he speaks, he smiles and laughs and remembers people and events in spectacular detail. His love of his son, Bill, is evident in every story. Doc frequently mentions that his son has always been his “right hand man” and that after he retired his son was a big factor in making his new business ventures successful. If possible, Doc appears to have grown even closer to his son. They live fairly close to each other and see each other often.

In 1982, Doc retired from chiropractic and moved to Casey Key just north of Venice, Florida. Even in retirement, he sought new adventures and earned his real estate license, acquired 65 acres and built a recreational vehicle campground. He, Boots and his son built a clubhouse, courtyard, bathhouses, administration buildings, and professional entertainment area. The campground grew each year and eventually had 500 sites. While there, his beloved Boots passed away and he sold the property soon afterward.

Dr. Purser has been an ardent supporter of Logan, providing many student referrals and generously donating to scholarships that help the University support bright futures. Here, he joins scholarship recipients Anna Marie Schissler, Kate Cline and Olivia Beauchamp.

Doc now owns a beautiful home on Lake Dora in Tavares, Florida. He has a boat to travel the waterways and grows delicious varieties of fruit, including an occasional pineapple.

His generosity helped build a state-of-the-art auditorium for Logan University and continues to provide scholarships that change the lives of students.

Doc talks about many chiropractic successes, fascinating legal cases, family adventures and current projects. Dr. William Purser is a man who strives to be the best at everything he chooses to do and he succeeds. Indeed, Doc is a man who loves living.