William ANGELL

1935 - 2022

ANGELL, Dr. William Willson passed away on June 20, 2022 at the age of 87. Bill was born on April 1, 1935 to Harry Kenyon Angell and Martha Willson Angell in Cortland, New York. He was the second of three brothers, and the children tragically lost both parents before Bill turned ten. They were taken in by their aunt, Mary Willson, who moved the boys to a hunting cabin in rural Crosby, Pennsylvania, beginning Bill's lifelong love of the outdoors. Bill graduated from Smethport High School, where he helped set a four-man relay state record that stood for nearly fifty years. He attended college at Cornell and, rather than follow in his father's footsteps as a lawyer, pursued a medical degree at Rochester. After graduation, Bill married Nancy Smith and moved to California for his residency at Stanford. Bill and Nancy had three children, Cathy (1963), Scott (1965), and Craig (1968). During residency, Bill completed a pathology fellowship in Scotland and a cardiovascular fellowship at Stanford with the renowned heart surgeon Norman Shumway. Bill's research contributed to Dr. Shumway's completion of the first successful adult heart transplant in the United States and third in history. From there, Bill earned independent medical fame for his research into pig heart valve preservation for human implantation. He formed a company for this purpose, Bravo, and it is likely that patients are alive today with an Angell valve keeping them going. Bill then married his second wife, Judith Damir, and moved to San Diego in 1982. They had two children, Derek (1982) and Braden (1983). After a decade at Scripps Clinic, the family relocated to Tampa where Bill treated countless patients at many Bay Area hospitals. He ultimately partnered with Dr. Lester Ordiway, forming Angell & Ordiway, a cardiothoracic surgical practice, that continues operation. Bill never retired, and his remarkable six-decade career will forever inspire us. But you would never know it if you met him. Bill never talked about himself. He would much rather learn about your accomplishments and help fix your problems than discuss his fascinating work or myriad achievements. Never short on projects, Bill was an avid snow skier, scuba diver, sport fisherman, sculler, bicyclist, runner, and, having never touched a club before his 75th birthday, golfer. More than that, Dad was the center of our family, and our hearts are broken without him. The youngest 87 year old the world has ever known, Dad is gone too soon. Bill was predeceased by his parents and brothers, George and Jim. He is survived by his wife, five children, and numerous nephews, nieces, and grandchildren. A service will be held at the Palma Ceia Country Club, 1601 S. MacDill Ave, Tampa, on Saturday, July 23, from 1-4 pm. All who knew Bill and his family are invited to attend.