Dr. William B. Mikita

Dr. William B. Mikita, 87, beloved husband of his second wife, JoAnn Gazia Mikita of Weirton and his first wife, the late Mildred Lazich Mikita, honored father of his children, Carole Mikita York and J. Stephen Mikita, both of Salt Lake City, Utah, William H. Mikita and Judith Mikita Krzyminski of Cincinnati, Ohio, and two step-children, David Kucera of Cincinnati, Ohio and Paula Hanchin of Weirton, died on June 24, 2010, following a very long illness. He is survived by his four children, two step-children, eight grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and four great-grand-children. He was born August 13, 1922 to the late John and Susan Brezuch Mikita. He is also preceded in death by his brother John Mikita, and his sister Mary Mikita Ferrari, as well as his first wife, Mildred Lazich Mikita. Dr. Mikita was born in Weirton, West Virginia, and was graduated from Weir High School, West Virginia University and the University of Louisville Medical School. He served in the U.S. Navy as a physician on board a naval destroyer in the South Pacific during WWII. He returned to the Tri-State area as the sole Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon serving the Ohio Valley Hospital, St. John's Hospital (now Trinity Medical Center), Weirton General, and the former Gill Hospital, as well as Cadiz and East Liverpool Hospitals. He was the team physician for both Steubenville High School and Catholic Central High School. His office was located at 535 North 4th Street. For more than 40 years, this gifted physician served the people of the Ohio Valley with his relentless energy, undying commitment, and endless sacrifice. It seemed as though everyone knew someone who experienced his generous spirit and healing touch in their hour of pain and crisis. He was truly a born leader, a simple, yet brilliant man whose life stands as a beacon for so many to celebrate and emulate. Dr. Mikita was a member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Association, and the International Orthopedics Association. He was also a member of the Rotary, the Masons, and the Lions Club, as well as the Steubenville and Williams Country Clubs. Friends may call at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton Sunday from 5-8 p.m. Private funeral services and burial will be held for Dr. Mikita's family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dr. Mikita's honor to his favorite charity, the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation www.smafoundation.org, 888 Seventh Ave, Suite 400, New York, NY 10019. Stephen Mikita, Dr. Mikita's younger son, continues to live with SMA.