By Carrie Jackson
Special to Inside
The medical world lost an icon last month with the passing of Jack Williams, M.D. However, Dr. Williams—who at 91 years old was still practicing internal medicine at Lincoln Park Hospital (LPH)—will be remembered for far more than his professional feats.
He lived on the northwest side of Chicago with Wilma Williams, his wife of 65 years. The two were small-town high school sweethearts. "He was my beau, and our courtship continued after school," Wilma remembered. Dr. Williams went on to earn his undergraduate degree at University of Illinois-Champaign, and graduated from medical school at University of Illinois-Chicago in 1942. He fulfilled his internship at LPH, which was then Grant Hospital, and spent five years as a World War II flight surgeon stationed in Germany. He returned to LPH for his residency, and went on to be part of the medical staff there for
56 years.
Betty Henson first ran into him over 30 years ago, almost literally. She was working in the Housekeeping Department at LPH when a hurried doctor rushed by, dropping an armful of papers. Henson helped him gather everything together, and the two became friends. She later chose him as her internist, after a referral by another patient who lived in her building, where he would on occasion come and make house calls. She remembers his passion for the job, his professional mannerism, and his love of learning. Despite changes and advancements in science and technology, he always seemed to be up-to-date on the latest developments.
He was dedicated to his practice, often calling patients just to check up on them. According to Mary Brown, Dr. William's office manager, even though he was eventually seeing patients only two days a week, he came in every day for as long as he could. "He loved his practice," she remembered. It wasn't until he lost his driver's license in April that Dr. Williams was forced to cut back, but he got rides twice a week until November, when he saw his last patients.
Dr. Williams died from pneumonia on Dec. 14 at LPH. "His patients called him every day in the hospital to check in on him," said Brown. "We say he died at home, because this was his home." The Skilled Nurses Unit at LPH is dedicated to the Williams, who helped solicit funding for it.
Henson said she will remember him more for their friendship outside the office. "He loved animals," she recalled, "and always told me to go outside and feed the squirrels." They also worked through the Jumble in the paper every day over the phone. No matter what, she said, "he was there when you needed him."
Wilma Williams said that even though medicine was his first love, he did have other interests. He liked to golf, and was dedicated to the Cubs and Bears. His two sons, Steven and David, kept him busy with scores of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even one great-great-grandchild. "He was always interested in people," said his wife. "He was a dedicated doctor, and he cared about people." |
