John William Giesen

Dr. John William (Bill) Giesen, 82, of Radford, Va., died on Tuesday, November 11, 2008. He was born in Radford in 1925, and he returned home in 1956 where he practiced medicine for 46 years at Radford Community Hospital, Carilion New River Valley Medical Center and St. Albans Hospital. Bill was past president of the Medical Society of Virginia and the Radford Lions Club, Chairman of the Christ Lutheran Church Council, and he served as Commander of American Legion Post #30. He sat on the board of the New River Valley Friends of the Roanoke Symphony, the Radford Heritage Foundation, the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, and the Glencoe Museum Foundation, and he was an active member of the Republican Party of Virginia. During World War II, Bill served his country on the front lines as active duty Army. He attended Virginia Military Institute and Roanoke College for his undergraduate degree, and received his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia in 1956. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Golddie Miles Giesen and Dr. John Jacob Giesen; and his sister, Jane Giesen Smallridge Chaney. Survivors include his wife, Cornelia F. Giesen; his daughter, Martha Giesen Hale and her husband, Tom; his son, John H. Giesen and his wife, Dana; his daughter, Anne Giesen Sayers and her husband, Dennis; grandchildren, Sarah and Meg Hale, Jake and Laura Giesen, Morgan Sayers, and Jane Katharine Sayers Martin and her husband, Jeff; his sister, Elizabeth Ann "Boo" Litton; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends and family will be received at Christ Lutheran Church in Radford on Thursday, November 13, 2008, from 5 until 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held 2 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2008, at Christ Lutheran Church and interment will follow the service at West Radford Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Mr. Bob Chapman, Mr. Tom Hale, Dr. Richard Harshberger, Mr. Dennis Sayers, Dr. Bill Stephenson, and Mr. Bill Vinion, and Mr. Henry Lindsey will serve as an honorary pallbearer. Bill Giesen will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He will be warmly remembered by the numerous patients he touched through his medical practice. Arrangements are being handled by DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford, Va. For more information, please call 540-639-2422.