William Lewis Corporon MD

Born January 10, 1945, William Lewis Corporon entered into the world to his parents, Lewis and Helen Church Corporon of Independence, Kansas where Lewis led a congregation as pastor of the Disciples of Christ. He was the second of six children and the only son. Bill, as everyone knew him, met Melinda Ann Gordy in Ponca City, Oklahoma. They married in 1965, welcoming their first son, William Travis Corporon that same year. Daughter Melinda K. Corporon was born in 1968, and son, Anthony Coulter Corporon, in 1978. Bill graduated from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma in May, 1967, and received his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Oklahoma in May, 1972 with repeated certification by the American Board of Family Practice. Bill's medical practice moved the family from Perry, Oklahoma to Marlow, Oklahoma, then Duncan, Oklahoma, where he practiced family medicine from 1980 to 2003. He served consecutive terms on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Foundation for Peer Review from 1991 until 2003. In 2003, he sold his family practice to move with Melinda, finally settling in Overland Park, Kansas to be close by their children and grandchildren. Bill practiced emergency medicine in Nevada, MO, Pittsburg, KS, Independence, MO, Leawood, KS and Clinton, MO. At his death he was employed as a physician and medical director of Concentra Urgent Care in Grandview, MO. With Melinda at his side, Bill successfully operated his family practice, directed plays, participated in church choir, and served on numerous church boards in Marlow and Duncan. Bill and Melinda were instrumental members of Duncan Little Theater where Bill directed, and Melinda produced, dozens of theatrical productions, large and small, including "Girls of the Garden Club", "Oklahoma!", "Grease", "Smoke on the Mountain", "Fiddler on the Roof", "The Wizard of Oz", "A Trace of the Trail" (written and produced by Bill) which was to become the foundation for the "Duncan Centennial Pageant" (1992). In recognition of their achievements in the Arts, Bill and Melinda received the Oklahoma Governor's Award for Excellence in 2002. Dr. Corporon and family are strong supporters of the University of Oklahoma, where all three of his children received their undergraduate degrees. Bill and Melinda spent many a Saturday in the stands of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium supporting the Sooners and daughter, Mindy, a cheerleader from 1986 to 1990. As was his giving nature, Bill also joined Melinda in support of their children's' Fraternal and Panhellenic associations as parent volunteers. Outside of the office and away from his chosen obligations, Bill enjoyed spending hours outdoors. He was very fond of swimming, his chosen exercise, and swam every day to keep fit. His passion was hunting anything in season including deer, turkey, ducks, geese and dove on the family farm outside Marlow, Oklahoma. Popeye (as his grandchildren knew him) found great joy in teaching his grandsons Reat, Lukas and Andrew proper respect for the outdoors and the bounties of nature. His instruction included firearm etiquette, conservation and leaving no trace. He was very much looking forward to years of hunting and teaching his grandchildren about his passion. Bill guided his grandson, Reat to Heaven and is preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his wife of 49 years and the foundation of his life, Melinda Gordy Corporon. He is also survived by his three children, Will (Heather) Corporon; Mindy Corporon (Len Losen) and Tony (Dana) Corporon. Popeye looks upon his grandchildren Travis Corporon, Alli Golden, Hanna Golden, Sam Golden, Lukas Losen, Maggie Golden, Andrew Corporon, Katy Corporon, and Olivia Corporon and many more loving relatives. A Celebration of Dr. Bill's Life will be held at 3:00 PM Friday, April 18, 2014 at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, Kansas 66224. A gathering for family and friends will take place immediately following the service, also at the church. Please visit www.johnsoncountychapel.com for an extended biography of Dr. Bill and to leave fond memories and condolences for his family. Memorial Contributions are suggested to: Blue Valley Educational Foundation Contact: Anne Blessing Address: 15020 Metcalf, Overland Park, Kansas 66223 Phone: 913-239-4622 Checks Payable To: BVEF with a memo identifying "The Corporon Memorial" or donations can be made online at www.BVEF.org Link: www.BVEF.org Church of the Resurrection Kids COR Contact: Lori Trupp Address: 13720 Roe Ave, Leawood, Kansas 66224 Phone: 913-544-0725 Checks Payable To: COR with a memo identifying "Kids COR for The Corporon Memorial"- donations can only be made via check Website : www.cor.org Operation Breakthrough Contact: Lee Duckett Address: 3039 Troost Ave, Kansas City, Missouri 64109 Phone: 816-756-3511 Checks Payable To: Operation Breakthrough with a memo identifying "The Corporon Memorial" or online at https://www.operationbreakthrough.org/help_donate.php selecting the "In Memory Of" tab and identify "The Corporon Memorial" Website: www.Operationbreakthrough.org Boy Scouts of America- Heart of America Council Contact: Tammy Butterfield Address: Heart of America Council, 10210 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131 Phone: 816-942-9333 Checks Payable To: Operation Breakthrough with a memo identifying "The Corporon Memorial" – donations can only be made via check to ensure they go the The Corporon Memorial Website: www.HOAC-BSA.org Duncan Little Theatre P.O. Box 531 Duncan, OK 73534