MIAMI, Okla. — William Osborn, founder of Osborn Drugs, died here on February 16 after a brief illness. He was 79.

“Partnership was his mode of operation,” his son, Mark Osborn, told the Tulsa World. “For example, in his business, he never owned more than 50%, and he would bring in young pharmacist after young ­pharmacist.”

Osborn helped meet the community’s pharmacy needs for more than three decades. He also was a prominent community leader who campaigned to save the Coleman Theater, a landmark structure built in 1929.

Osborn was active in community projects and organizations. He chaired the Miami Downtown Development Authority and cochaired committees formed to celebrate Miami’s 75th and 100th anniversaries.

The Miami Area Chamber of Commerce honored Osborn with its Impact Award, and he was named Outstanding Alumni by the Miami Public Schools Enrichment Foundation.

Osborn supported independent pharmacy as a member of various Oklahoma pharmacy boards and the American College of Apothecaries.