Emma Pritchard

To his family, he was a cherished husband, father, and grandfather.

To many Clarence Valley residents, he was a close and trusted friend, a well-respected colleague, and one of the most caring and compassionate general practitioners to work in the region.

As a large crowd gathered at the Grafton Presbyterian Church on March 24 to celebrate his life and say their final farewells, they remembered Dr William (Bill) Cayzer as a highly valued member of the local community, a warm-hearted and devoted professional, and a wonderful man who embodied a selfless spirit and endless love for those around him.

Born in Brisbane, Dr Cayzer moved to Sydney aged 12, and attended Barker College where he became dux in his final year.

After completing a degree in electrical engineering, he quickly decided it wasn’t for him, and went on to study medicine, graduating from the University of Sydney with his second degree in 1976.

He met and married the love of his life, wife Jenny, who he described as the “belle of Taree” 46 years ago in the Manning Valley.

The couple moved to Grafton in 1980 where Dr Cayzer set up practice at the South Grafton Medical Centre.

For the next 37 years, he dedicated himself tirelessly to the health and wellbeing of his patients, often working upwards of 80 to 100 hours each week to ensure their medical needs were adequately seen to, and their minds put at ease with his gentle reassurance.

Despite the demands of his professional career, Dr Cayzer remained committed to his family.

Together, he and Jenny raised four children, son Nigel, and daughters Laura, Anne-Marie, and Ashleigh, who described her father as “a man they all looked up to.”

“Dad worked hard for his family, and for his patients,” she recalled.

“His phone was never switched off, and he would see patients at all hours, day and night.

“But around these long work hours, he always tried to be present for us.

“At family dinners each night, he annoyed us with questions about what we learned today, who we played with, etc.

“Dad loved every bit of having us all together.”

After hanging up his stethoscope for the final time in 2017, Dr Cayzer enjoyed coffee and cake every morning with his wife, regular walks with his dog Raider, and a religious glass of Jack Daniels and coke every afternoon.

His unwavering optimism and ability to see the positive in any situation continued after he was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in April 2022.      

“Even in his final days where one would be forgiven for reflecting on what the ‘wretched disease’ as Dad described it had taken from him, Dad wrote a list of the all the positives in his life, and even the positives of this disease,” Ashleigh said.

“He spoke of having time to take his much-anticipated boat trip through Europe, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy 45 years married to his besotted.

“Dad was the best husband and soul mate for Mum, and the best Dad and Grandpa we could ever have hoped for.”

Dr Cayzer is survived by his loving wife, four children, and seven grandchildren.