Dr. William I. Dean

Class of 1977
Career Pathway: Health Sciences

At GHS, Bill Dean was a member of the National Honor Society and class president and played varsity tennis, basketball and football. His senior year, he was captain of the football team.

He graduated from Hope College in Holland with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry, then attended the Illinois College of Optometry and graduated with a doctor of optometry degree. He was a member of Beta Sigma Kappa honor society and participated in a humanitarian mission to Colombia to provide eye care to local people.

From 1985 to 1988, Dr. Dean served as a captain in the United States Air Force at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. He was selected to be the chief optometrist at the 1st Strategic Hospital at Vandenberg Air Force Base and also served as a contact lens consultant for the United States Air Force surgeon general.

Since 1988, Dr. Dean has practiced optometry in Grayling and is a partner in the practice of AuSable Eye Care. He is currently a member of the Crawford AuSable School Board, the Grayling Downtown District Authority, the Grayling Redskin Youth Program and the Upper Manistee River Association. 

Dr. Dean's wife of 23 years is Cory (Meech), who graduated from GHS in 1980. They have four children who attend Crawford AuSable Schools: Zachary, Spencer, Griffin and Wesley. He is an avid fly fisherman and enjoys all outdoor sports activities.