William Smedley

Oct. 29, 2012

William Paul Smedley, M.D., F.A.C.S., passed away peacefully at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital on Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, with his family at his side after courageously battling a debilitating illness since Sept., 2007.

Dr. Smedley was a graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy, King's College, Wilkes-Barre, and the Stritch School of Medicine of Loyola University, Chicago, Ill. Additionally, he served as a captain in the 402nd Military Police Reserve. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Board of Surgery.

Upon completion of his internship at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, Dr. Smedley served his surgical residency at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. He achieved the position of chief surgical resident during his last two years under the direction of his mentor, Dr. George T. R. Fahlund. He later completed graduate studies in clinical hypnosis at the University of Pennsylvania.

Returning to Wyoming Valley in the early 1960s, he built his medical practice specializing in abdominal disease, trauma, general surgery and eating disorders. Dr. Smedley was often referred to, affectionately, as the "Gall Bladder Doctor."

Dr. Smedley was a professor in the advanced trauma life support unit at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, the co-founder of the Luzerne County Community College Surgical Operating Room tech program in Nanticoke, and both an adjunct professor at Temple University Medical School in Philadelphia and the King's College Physicians Assistant Program in Wilkes-Barre.

Dr. Smedley was the football team physician for Bishop O'Reilly High School, Kingston, from 1973 until its closing in 2007.

In addition to his accomplished medical practice, Dr. Smedley was an inventor whose innovative developments have local and global recognition and use. These include the laparoscopic sponge and the Long Reach Laparoscopic Right Angle Dissector, an instrument used in gall bladder surgery.

He was also the accomplished and recognized author of three books, "The F.A.T. Book," a tome about gall bladder disease; "The F.A.T. Book Cook Book," which lists recipes for those suffering from gall bladder disease and includes his special six-week low-fat diet designed to prepare his patients for successful gall bladder surgery; and "Mom, Do I Look Fat?," a definitive text concerning the medical causes of anorexia and bulimia.

Along with his medical practice, Dr. Smedley was a fourth degree in the Knights of Columbus, Extraordinary Minister of Communion at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and a longtime member of the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre.

Regardless of his accomplishments, he was first to put his children's interests ahead of his own. Dr. Smedley's hobbies included gardening, music, shooting, writing and dining with his wife and family at Hottle's, Perugino's, Agolino's and Villa Foglia. His passions and hobbies also included anything that was the interest and passion of his children.

Dr. Smedley was preceded in death by his parents, William P. and Regis Farrell Smedley; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Thomas J. and Anna Kennedy Moran; and son-in-law, James Cowan.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Catherine Moran Smedley; children, William P. Smedley Jr. and his wife, Sandy, of Swoyersville; Paul C. Smedley and his wife, Denise, of Pittston; Katie Smedley Cowan, of Orlando, Fla.; Jane T. Smedley, Esq., of Swoyersville, and Anthony N. Smedley, Esq., of Philadelphia. He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Regis Lavin and Margaret Smedley, of Ohio; his brother, Robert, and his wife, Marian Smedley, of Philadelphia; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The Smedley Family extends their deepest thanks to the medical professionals and facilities that cared for him and, more importantly, believed in the miracle of our Dad's recovery over the last five years, in particular, Dr. Kish, Dr. Boonin, Dr. Harostock, Dr. Gerhart, Dr. Ellis, Dr. DelGaudio, Dr. Delahanty, Dr. RuDusky, Dr. Stepanitis and his good friend Dr. Ottavianni.

Celebration of Dr. Smedley's Life will be held Monday with a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in the Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola, 339 N. Maple Ave. in Kingston. Interment will be in Saint Mary's Cemetery in Hanover Township. Visitation will be held in the Church of Saint Ignatius on Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Parish of Saint Ignatius Loyola. Arrangements are by McLaughlin's - The Family Funeral Service. Permanent messages and memories can be shared with The Smedley Family at www.celebratehislife.com.