An elderly man who died at a house in Forfar had spent his life serving locals as a GP.
Dr Bill Yule, 90, has been described as a “highly-respected” member of the community, who worked in the Angus town for more than two decades.
The pensioner – who was also an author – was found dead inside a property on Hillside Road in Forfar on Tuesday.
A 31-year-old man has been charged in connection with his death.
Dr Yule originally worked in the Green Street practice, which became Academy Street Medical Centre.
In an interview with The Courier in 2010, he told how he had grown up in Morayshire before leaving to study medicine at Edinburgh University.
Career took Dr Bill Yule around the world
After a year as a junior doctor in the capital, in the late 1950s, Dr Yule applied to conduct his national service in the Royal Navy.
He was posted to the 3rd Frigate Squadron in the Far East, working as the squadron medical officer.
His naval career took him to Borneo, Korea, Japan and Hong Kong, tending to sailors who visited the small ship’s sick bay.
He returned from his naval service to work for a short time on Shetland, later writing in the British Medical Journal about his experiences.
In 1968 he moved to Forfar with his wife Kirsty, where he served as a GP until he retired in 1992.
It is understood he also had two daughters.
One local left shocked by his death remembers him fondly.
She told The Courier: “Bill Yule was a lovely man. He was always friendly and helpful.
“He was also a highly respected GP who worked in Forfar and served the town and surrounding area for many years.
“He spent his life trying to help people.”
Book charted Forfar GP’s life in Navy
Following his retirement, Dr Yule went on to become an author, publishing his first book Matrons, Medics And Maladies in 2000.
It examined the history of medicine through the eyes of those at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in the 1840s and 1850s.
Dr Yule told The Courier at the time: “I’m fascinated by the social history of medicine and have spent a lot of time researching it.
“The old medical records in the archive department at Dundee University have been a very valuable resource for me.”
Another book, Doctor in the Navy, told the story of his national service.
Speaking 12 years ago, he said: “I decided to write another book because national service was an interesting period in my life.
“I thought that it might be worthy of a wider circulation.”
Dr Yule also wrote a number of research papers and was published by the Lancet and other medical journals.
Man due to appear in court
A Police spokesperson said: “A 31-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a man in Forfar.
“Around 1.10pm on Tuesday, police received a report of the death of a man on Hillside Road, Forfar.
“The deceased can be named as 90-year-old William Yule.
“A 31-year-old man is due to appear at Forfar Sheriff Court on Thursday.”
