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William Norwood Obituary
On Sunday, December 13th, 2020, Dr. William Imon Norwood, Jr. "Bill", loving husband, father of three children, grandfather to nine and great-grandfather to five, passed away at the age of 79.
Bill was born on April 21st, 1941 in Camden, Arkansas to William and Pearl Norwood. In 1946, the Norwood family moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico where his father was recruited to work at Los Alamos National Laboratory under the direction of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Bill spent his childhood in Los Alamos, working hard and gaining many scholastic awards. At 18, he won an appointment to the US Air Force Academy and served in the Air Force Reserves. He earned his B.S. in Chemistry and Biology at the University of New Mexico and his M.D. at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He then served his internship, residency and chief residency in general surgery at the University of Minnesota Hospitals. During this time, he earned a PhD in Biophysics from the University of Colorado. His training in cardiothoracic surgery was at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital Harvard, including a pediatric cardiothoracic fellowship at Boston Children's Medical Center, Harvard University. Bill held faculty positions at various institutions, including the Children's Medical Center in Boston, Harvard University and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, where he was chief of cardiothoracic surgery. He also co-founded and was vice president, president and then CEO of the Aldo Castañeda Institute in Genolier, Switzerland. He was Chief Executive of the Practice at Nemours Cardiac Center in Wilmington, Delaware where he finished his outstanding medical career. Bill was a pioneer and trailblazer in the development of reconstructive heart surgery in infants and newborns for congenital heart defects, and is best known for his development of a three-staged operation called "the Norwood Procedure" to correct the cardiac lesion known as hypoplastic left heart syndrome or HLHS. Bill's determination driving this profound advancement in surgical intervention has saved tens of thousands of lives over the past few decades. He also worked through Project Hope to bring his procedure around the world. Bill also had a passion for painting, cooking, mathematics, physics and sports. His family was very important to him.
Bill is survived by his wife Jodee, his three children; daughter Toye Haddock and husband Charles, son William I. Norwood, III and wife Tamara, and son Jonathan Norwood; and his brother J. Michael Norwood wife Vera and niece Agatha. He leaves nine grandchildren, Alayna, Jayme, Carly, Duncan and Elsa Haddock; Noah, Maxwell and Mason Norwood; and Locksley Norwood, as well as five great- grandchildren. He was well-loved and will be deeply missed.
No services scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ronald McDonald House.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Norwood
Brandon
September 19, 2023
I was born with Tetralogy of Fallot. Dr. Norwood performed surgery on me on January 13, 1982 in Boston. I was 7 years old. I haven´t had to have another open heart surgery since, and I turn 49 in October. I just found out about his passing today after doing some googling on the Internet. Thank you Dr. Norwood for saving my life. He came to Children´s Hospital of Philadelphia in 1984 where I was already being followed as I lived outside of Philadelphia, PA. I´m very grateful to have been operated on by him. I don´t know where I would be had I not.
Elizabeth Bowman
May 8, 2023
Dr. Norwood performed an arterial switch for TGA on my son in 1986 at CHOP, when there were only 4 hospitals doing this procedure, anywhere. We drove from New York State to Philadelphia, and are so lucky Dr. Norwood could perform the surgery. Maxwell (pictured here with his son) is thriving, so the legacy of Dr. Norwood lives on and is understood by cardiac professionals who care for him. Hopefully, the family get a good sense of the positive impact on so many lives.
Judy French
December 21, 2022
Dr. Norwood operated on my grandson when he was a month old in Wilmington. He was so nice & gentle. He was on the cover of a magazine at the time & later, he signed it for Casey. He is now 19 yrs old & we will never forget Dr. Norwood. A GENTLE GIANT. We are so saddened by this. He helped thousands of babies and we are so grateful. God bless your whole family. Thank you Dr. Norwood. We love you.
Marsha Sullivan
October 21, 2021
Dr. Norwood was one in a million. When my daughter was born in 1988, we were lucky enough to be transferred to CHOP. Cara had a VSD. Dr. Norwood operated on her when she was five days old. She was home nine days later! Her cardiologist at the time told us that this surgery had only been performed 12 times in 3 years and that Cara was the best recovered of any child.
Fast forward, when Cara was 8 and Dr. Norwood was in Genolier we learned that she needed more surgery. We knew we only wanted him to take care of her. His team couldn't have been more fabulous. We traveled to Switzerland where he once again, fixed our girl. Dr. Norwood saved her life and we will forever be in his debt. May his memory be a blessing to you all.
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Alice A Deanin
August 13, 2021
Dr Norwood was the CT surgeon for my wonderful son, Peter Hopkins. Peter died from kidney failure this past June at the age of 36. P was one of the grand cohort of single ventricle patients treated at CHOP during the 1980s. After Peter's death we made a donation in Dr Norwood's memory to the single ventricle program of the Cardiac Center. Norwood's work made many things possible.
Victor Altadonna MD
June 7, 2021
I was the junior resident in surgery on Dr Norwood’s service from January 1984 to April 1984. He was by far the greatest surgeon I have ever observed in 40 years of surgery. It was the greatest honor of my entire medical career to work under him I am profoundly saddened by his passing. Although I was such a small part of his lie I wish I could have told him of my utmost admiration for him in his lifetime. Instead I leave this memory.
Victor Altadonna MD
June 7, 2021
I was a surgical resident on Dr Norwood’s
Service at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia between January and April of 1984. He was clearly the most technically proficient and brilliant surgeon I have Ever seen In over 40 years of medicine. I was in awe of his abilities and have thought about him over the years more than any other medical individual I have ever met. I am very sorry if his passing And although I was a very small part Of his career I wished I could have told him how wonderful I knew he was
James S. Reilly MD, FACS
April 9, 2021
Br. Bill Norwood inaugurated the Pediatric Cardiac Surgical Program for the Nemours Children’s Health System in 1998 at theAI DuPont Hospital for Children. Dr. Norwood’s vision, innovation and surgical skills saved countless infants and brought hope and joy to their parents and families.
Dr Norwood was always an inspiration to all of his medical colleagues and friends.
Alberto
March 7, 2021
He es the most great of cirujano In congénital hearts
Joyce Mahon
March 5, 2021
My deepest condolences to the family of Dr Bill or “Uncle Bill” as some of his cardiac parents called him at Camp Norwood at CHOP.
My son was treated lovingly by this incredible surgeon starting in 1987 with his 1st Open Heart surgery. Joey had Severe Infantile Marfan Syndrome. We’d been told by other surgeons he’d never see his 1st birthday. Because of Dr Bill’s incredible skill and loving care, my son saw 18 birthdays! He passed in 2005 at CHOP surrounded by many Drs and nurses who cared for him way back in the early days with Dr Bill.
Thank you and rest well in Jesus’s arms Dr Bill. Many of those children you saved or worked so hard to give a better quality of life are now running around , laughing and teasing you in Heaven, my Joey is leading the pack as he became quite the jokester because you took the chance on a special child 3 times!
Joyce Mahon
March 5, 2021
My deepest condolences to the family of Dr Bill or “Uncle Bill” as some of his cardiac parents called him at Camp Norwood at CHOP.
My son was treated lovingly by this incredible surgeon starting in 1987 with his 1st Open Heart surgery. Joey had Severe Infantile Marfan Syndrome. We’d been told by other surgeons he’d never see his 1st birthday. Because of Dr Bill’s incredible skill and loving care, my son saw 18 birthdays! He passed in 2005 at CHOP surrounded by many Drs and nurses who cared for him way back in the early days with Dr Bill.
Thank you and rest well in Jesus’s arms Dr Bill. Many of those children you saved or worked so hard to give a better quality of life are now running around , laughing and teasing you in Heaven, my Joey is leading the pack as he became quite the jokester because you took the chance on a special child 3 times!
Gwen Galligan
February 12, 2021
Our son, Liam, was born at Christiana Hospital, Delaware, in October 1998. It was soon discovered that he had an AVSD that needed surgical repair and we were directed to take him to the new Nemours Cardiac Unit. Dr. Gina Baffa was assigned as out cardiologist and she assured us that our newborn would be in good hands with Dr. Norwood. Dr. Norwood saved our baby’s life! Liam continues to see cardiac specialists at Nemours to this day where they carry on Dr. Norwood’s legacy of excellence. In fact, we were there just yesterday for Liam’s checkup where, sadly, we were told of Dr. Norwood’s passing last December.
Our most sincere condolences go out to his wife, family, friends and al the colleagues whom he worked with. What a great man. Our family will be forever grateful to him.
Tom and Tammy Wilhelm
February 3, 2021
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. His service gave us our daughter who is now 26 years old. She has earned her Masters Degree in Special Education and works with people with Autism. She has come so far and we are forever grateful for his work.
Eileen Johnson
February 3, 2021
I still remember the day I met Dr Norwood. Our daughter, Bonnie needed open heart surgery to survive. We met with Dr. Norwood at CHOP and he drew a picture of Bonnie’s heart and explained why she needed the arterial switch. She was one day old. I was amazed how a man with such large hands could operate on an artery the size of a pencil point. He bumped her into his schedule for that day. It may have been one of his last surgeries before he left CHOP. That was almost 31 years ago. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He saved our daughters life and he would be very proud of the woman she has become. Thank you.
SUSAN GARRATY
January 29, 2021
Dr. Norwood was an AMAZING physician and person. I had the honor of working with him as we opened The Nemours Cardiac Center in Wilmington, DE. I learned so much from him and his wonderful staff during my time there. My condolences to the family and especially his wife Jodee. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Susan G,
Coworker
Terry Grigsby
January 21, 2021
Dr. Norwood performed open heart surgery on my three year old son, Casey, in 1978. Thanks to him, Casey continues enjoy life to the fullest each day. Dr. Norwood is a hero to our family!
Julianne Funk
January 20, 2021
Dr Norwood performed open heart surgery on me at CHOP when I was 9 months old in 1987. I’m very sorry to hear of his passing.
Julianne
January 20, 2021
Dr Norwood performed open heart surgery on me at CHOP when I was 9 months old in 1987. I’m very sorry to hear of his passing.
Keith Meloff
January 17, 2021
I met Bill when I was training in Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota-it was obvious he was a genius-he thought like an "infant heart"-he visualized it and drew pictures of it in in his consultation notes-
He studied with the maestro Aldo Castaneda in Minneapolis and later in Boston- his rise to fame was inevitable and he is rightly honored for his incredible contributions to neonatal cardiac surgery, especially for single ventricles, which, before Norwood, was lethal. I note, ironically that he was born exactly one year before me- the only coincidence. It was a privilege to know him. With fond memories and deepest sympathies to his family. Sincerely, Keith Meloff MD FRCPC( Pediatrics and Neurology) Toronto ( who also once shared an office with Dr. Bill Mustard in Toronto-another heroic figure in pediatric heart surgery)
Javier M Esquivias
January 3, 2021
I was patient of Dr Norwood in Dupont Hospital in Pennsylvania. This men save my life 23 years ago. I'm very sorry for his death and sent my condelences to his wife and children.
Sincerely
Javier
Javier Manuel Esquivias Ramirez
January 3, 2021
I was patient of Dr Norwood in Dupont Hospital in Pennsylvania, I'm very sorry for his death and sent my condelences to his wife and children.
Sincerely
Javier
Carolyn McDonough
January 3, 2021
I'm so saddened to hear of Dr. Norwood's passing. He operated on my son's tiny heart 35 years ago, at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Norwood was a life saver, and my thanks and love go out to him and his family, during this difficult time. May his memory be eternal!
Pam
December 30, 2020
I’m sorry for the loss of this incredible surgeon. I had the pleasure of working with Bill while he was at Peter Bent Brigham.
My thoughts go out to his family. May he Rest In Peace.
Pam G.
HANI Alkattan
December 29, 2020
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Sandra Bamisaiye.
December 29, 2020
A good man, excellent doctor has gone to rest. May his soul rest peacefully in the Lord.
Jill Johnson
December 27, 2020
May your hearts be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Peace & love to you Jodee.
Lytle Norton
December 24, 2020
I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Dr. Norwood. He operated on my son Bradley from 1984 to 1986 at CHOP for HLHS. Although Bradley passed away shortly after his Fontan in 1986, Dr. Norwood gave us hope for our son and gave us 2.5 years with a child who forever changed our lives. He was a giant among giants in the field of Pediatric Cardiovascular surgery and we were privileged to have our son treated by him. My deepest sympathies to his family.
Missy
December 22, 2020
We were told here in Alabama my son would not survive after birth (HPLHS) But thanks to Dr. Norwood he is 20 years old and living life to the fullest. We can never repay Dr. Norwood for all he has done. Just know that we are praying for the family.
Jeff Giroud
December 22, 2020
Dr. Norwood performed surgery for my Septal heart defect at CHOP in 1990. My family and I will be forever grateful for him. Today I am A healthy 31 year old with a wife and daughter. Condolences to his family, he was a great man.
Cindy Brock
December 21, 2020
Dr. Norwood, if it wad not you and your dedication to the HLHS children of the world, my grandson and others like him would not have a chance at life. Thank you for caring. Prayers for your family.
Gabrielle (Olney) Meece
December 20, 2020
I will forever be grateful to Dr. Norwood. In 1985 I was born with HLHS, he preformed my Norwood and in 1987 he did my Fontan. Had it not been for him I would not be alive today. I am now 35, married, college graduate, and a mother. All thanks to him, and his lifesaving surgeries. The photo is of him, my mom and myself as a baby.
Chekay Family
December 20, 2020
Our family will be forever grateful to Dr. Norwood. Our HLHS son, had his "norwood" surgery at CHOP. Rest in peace.
Amanda Zebian
December 20, 2020
Dr. Norwood did the Norwood Procedure on me when I was six months old at Boston Children’s. I’ve lived a fully healthy life for 39 years because of him. I was also lucky enough to meet and become friends with his nephew Dan Desilets by chance 33 years later. Fate is a beautiful thing! I sent Dr. Norwood a letter years ago thanking him for all he’s done for me and I am so grateful I did. It is because of all that he’s done that I am here. May he Rest In Peace. Sending the most beautiful thoughts of precious memories to his family.
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