William COLEMAN

1948 - 2021

William Sanford Coleman ("Bill") passed away on July 25, 2021, at the Sacred Heart Medical Center cardiac intensive care unit {"CICU"} surrounded by family and loving colleagues and caregivers. He was 72 years old. He had been in the CICU for a week of superb care from the staff he had personally known and cherished for many years. The only child of Frank and Virginia Coleman, Bill was born September 29, 1948, in St. Louis, Missouri, and was raised in his beloved hometown of De Soto, Missouri. He was a heart surgeon, a pilot, an avid hunter, and a fly fisherman. He loved sports, travel, learning, his community, and most of all his family and friends.

Bill attended college on a music scholarship, graduating from Central Methodist University in 1970. He then received his Medical Degree from Washington University and completed his cardiac and surgical residency at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1980. He was a long-time partner of Northwest Heart and Lung Surgical Associates and was an innovator in the specialized field of cardiac electrophysiology (heart rhythm disorders). Due to his ability to negotiate and compromise, he was frequently chosen by his partners to be the group's representative at meetings or on committees.

Although Bill's professional and personal achievements were a source of pride, they were always secondary to the pride he took in being a family man and a friend. The stories of his character and kindness have continued to arrive since Bill's passing and include a few of the following: Ralph Oscarson, former office manager of the cardiac surgical practice recalls that each night that he was in the office, Bill would stop by at the end of the day and ask "Ralph, is there anything I can do for you?". This question was posed whether Bill had worked all day or just stopped in to check on things. As Ralph says, Bill truly believed in working as a part of a team and in the service of others. A long-time internal medicine physician in Spokane acknowledged both Bill's skill and his humanity: "Your dad was a very talented and caring surgeon and we always felt good referring our patients to him. But you gotta know that he was an even better man."

Dr. Hal Goldberg says of Bill: "There were few people with a bigger heart than Bill. He was a kind, kind man and a wonderful surgeon." Dr. Goldberg further shared that a longtime CICU nurse said of Bill: "He was the 'gentle giant' … never a crossword. He encompassed compassion for everyone his life touched."

And Bill's kindness and compassion went beyond the world of medicine. Don Conner rebuilt Bill and Mary Lynn's South Hill Spokane home. Don has been a contractor for many years, completing thousands of projects and employing countless employees and subs. But he is quick to say that his project for Bill and Mary Lynn stands out in his mind because of their kindness. During the rebuild, Bill would come home and ask all the contractors and employees if they had everything they needed. He'd ask if they were hungry or thirsty and he'd make sure to tell them the latest joke that he had heard in the OR or doctor's lounge.

With his grandchildren, Bill loved to talk medicine with Natalie, dance, and folklore with Emilie, volleyball, and school with Sarah, and wildlife and the outdoors with Daniel. He also loved to quiz the kids on trivia and always encouraged their educations.

Bill helped give back life to so many during his 35 years of cardiac surgical practice in Spokane, but he was most fortunate to have been given that gift himself, receiving a heart transplant in 2013 at Sacred Heart in Spokane. He was always thankful for the skill and loving care of his transplant team. The care of Dr. Andrew Coletti is particularly recognized for his years of following and caring for Bill and his cardiac

needs. But the entire team of physicians and staff that skillfully cared for Bill through and post-transplant were exceptional, and he appreciated them all.

But beyond all else, Bill's life was a love story starring him and his bride Mary Lynn. When he first saw her at 14 years old at a choir camp, he immediately told his more daring friend, "You've got to get me her name." Since Mary Lynn played the piano, Bill summoned his courage and asked her if she would accompany him as he practiced for his solo vocal performance at the end of the week of camp. The rest is a history of love and dedication to each other that lasted over 55 years.

After losing Mary Lynn two years before his passing, Bill carried forward with her always on his mind. He would tell wonderful stories to visitors of their meeting, their adventures, and their love. He made sure that wherever he might be, he was never far from her picture. Now at peace from illness, he can rest comfortably by her side.

Bill is survived by his children Benjamin ("Ben") Coleman and his wife Jasmina, and Seth Coleman and his wife BriAnne; as well as grandchildren, Natalie, Emilie, Sarah, and Daniel.

Gifts in Bill's memory can be made securely online to https:/give.providence.org/ewash/Cardiac-Care), or checks may be written to "Providence Health Care Foundation" (memo: Dr. William Coleman) and mailed to Providence Health Care Foundation, 101 W. 8th Ave., Spokane, WA 99204.

Other Spokane charities that Bill frequently gave to include the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, the Union Gospel Mission, and the Spokane Salvation Army. He would certainly support giving to any of these charities in his memory or gifts to any other charity that serves the underprivileged or those in need.

A memorial celebrating Bill's life will be held this Spring.