David W. "Bill" Grainger Jr.

GRAINGER, David "Bill" William, Jr. David "Bill" William Grainger, Jr. of Spokane, WA passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 15, 2009, in Kauai, Hawaii, while vacationing with family. He was 76 years old. Born January 31, 1933, Bill Grainger was raised in Niles, OH. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree at Yale University in 1955, he entered medical school at Columbia University and, in 1956, married Suzanne Johnston of Sharon, PA. Bill graduated from Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1959. Following his internship and residency in general surgery at Boston City Hospital in Boston, MA, he served as a captain in the United States Air Force for nearly three years, stationed in Marquette, MI. Following his military service, Bill undertook his orthopedic surgery residency at Harvard Medical School (Massachusetts General Hospital). Upon completion in 1967, he accepted a faculty position at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, WA. He and his wife Suzy and their four children moved to Spokane in 1970 when Bill joined what is now known as Northwest Orthopedic Specialists. He practiced there for 28 years before retiring in 1998. Bill was a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, serving on its Board of Councilors. His other professional affiliations included service on the board and president of the North Pacific Orthopedic Society, board member and president of the Washington State Orthopedics Association and member of the Spokane County Medical Society. For many years, he volunteered as an admissions recruiter for Yale. A meticulous, dedicated and innovative surgeon, Bill was an early pioneer of several important medical procedures considered routine today, including joint replacement, total joint revision surgery and reattachment of severed limbs. He was a leader in his field, earning the respect and admiration of many colleagues, and over the course of his practice, he received countless gestures of gratitude from patients in his care. An avid skier, hiker, boater, sailor, fisherman, and outdoorsman, he and his wife Suzy traveled extensively, and especially valued time spent with their children and grandchildren. Bill also enjoyed reading, gardening and woodworking. He is survived by his wife Suzanne J. Grainger; his brothers Richard Grainger (Mabel) of Tonawanda, NY and Thomas Grainger (Judy), of Underwood, WA; daughter Kristen Grainger (Daniel Wetzel) of Salem, OR; three sons, David W. Grainger III (Holly) of Salt Lake City, UT; Jeffry J. Grainger (Maren Grainger-Monsen) of Portola Valley, CA; Scott E. Grainger (Katy) of Mercer Island, WA; and ten grandchildren. A celebration of Bill's life is scheduled for 3 PM on Saturday, May 30th, at the Fox Theater (Martin Woldson Theater At The Fox), 1001 W. Sprague Ave, Spokane. In lieu of flowers, the Grainger family requests donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.