William Richard Fitzsimmons, MD

William Richard Fitzsimmons, MD, age 91, of Butler, PA, died Monday, July 2, 2007 at his residence. He was born Sunday, January 16, 1916 in Zelienople, PA, the son of the late Dr. David M. Fitzsimmons and Katie McClaren Fitzsimmons. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. After completing two years of premedical studies, he was accepted into the University of Pittsburgh Medical School and graduated in 1939 with a BS and MD degrees. After a rotating internship at Mercy Hospital, he successfully passed his state board medical examination and was licensed in Pennsylvania. He joined his father in general practice in Zelienople for several months, then volunteered for active duty with the US Army Medical Corps. and was assigned to Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, DC. In July of 1941, he was transferred to an engineering unit as CO of the base hospital in Greenland. At the completion of his tour of duty, he was transferred to McClusky General Hospital in Temple, TX, where he remained until his discharge as a Major in October of 1946. He resumed general practice with his father until July of 1947 when he obtained a residency in OB/GYN at the Women's Hospital in Detroit, MI. He later returned to Western Pennsylvania and opened an office in Butler in 1949 where he continued to practice until his retirement in 1983. During this time, he was a member of Butler Memorial Hospital staff, serving in various capacities including Chief of Staff & Chief of OB/GYN Services. Surviving are his wife, Patricia Ann Fitzsimmons; a daughter, Mrs. Frank (Jane Darrah) Wiseley of Butler; a son and his wife, Douglass M.and Victoria R. Fitzsimmons of Sewickley; 2 grandsons, P. Douglass Fitzsimmons and William Richard Fitzsimmons, II, both of Pittsburgh; a stepdaughter Leanne Stepanian of Butler; 2 stepsons, Leo M. Stepanian, II of Butler and Joshua L. Stepanian of Slippery Rock; 2 stepgrandchildren and 3 step great grandchildren He was preceded in death by his first wife, Grace Stamets Fitzsimmons who died April 19, 1980 and a sister, Catherine Mae Orr. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM on Thursday at the Young Funeral Home, Ltd., Butler, PA. Services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Friday, July 6, 2007 at 11 AM with his pastor, Rev. Thomas Pierotti officiating. Private burial. Contributions may be made to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 611 Granite Springs Rd., Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 Information available at www.youngfuneralhomes.com