William "Bill" John McCool M.D.

William “Bill” McCool died peacefully on Sunday, February 5, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his family and loyal lab, Maggie. Bill is survived by his wife Joan “Joanie” Fisher McCool of nearly 62 years; son David (Shelby) McCool; daughters Laura (Stephen) Graham and Patty (Eric) Evans. He was affectionately called Papa by his grandchildren, Jeffrey (Taylor), Matthew, Emily, Parker, MacKenzie, Tyler, Sarah, and Tatum, sister MaryJane (Tom) Morgan and sister-in-law Pat (Ross) Ard, nieces Katie (Bill) Petros, Becky (Andy) Bunn, Michael (Inga) Morgan, Susie (Michael) Bagnato. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Gregory William McCool, and ten faithful labrador retrievers. He was born August 12, 1937, in Traverse City, Michigan, the son of John A. McCool and Katherine Fick McCool, Traverse City natives and business owners of F&M Packing Company, Fick and Son Grocery, and Morgan-McCool, Inc. Grandson of William A. McCool, pioneer fruit packer and creamery operator of McCool’s Velvet Ice Cream in Traverse City. Bill spent his early years traveling between Traverse City and Brooksville, Florida, with the family’s canning business, F & M Packing Company. His family canned citrus in Florida in the winter and apples and cherries in Traverse City in the summer. Bill began working at Murray’s Boat Shop in Traverse City at age eleven. He became proficient in fixing outboard motors, splicing ropes, and tying knots. Starting at that young age, Bill would save each paycheck toward the purchase of his cherished Boardman River property. Bill loved scouting; he lived at Camp Greilick during the summers as a teenager. He was active in Boy Scouts and the Order of the Arrow, receiving his Eagle Scout award at age sixteen. Bill was also on the ski patrol at Holiday Hills. He loved skiing, be it snow or water. Bill had three mentors that greatly influenced his life; Dr. Howard Haynes, Dr. Louis Hirschman, and Dr. Richard Royer. Doctors Haynes and Hirschman retired to Traverse City and performed surgery at the Traverse City State Hospital. While in high school, they would arrange for Bill to skip his lunch hour and study hall to assist them in surgery. Dr. Royer was Bill’s mentor throughout medical school and his residencies. Bill graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 1955 and went to Central Michigan College (University). He graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a teaching certificate in Biology and Physical Science. Bill did his student teaching at Traverse City Central High School. While at Central Michigan, he was a member of the Sigma Tau Epsilon fraternity, the tumbling team, and the synchronized swimming club. To earn extra money, Bill would have an ironing board and hair clippers in the trunk of his car to give haircuts and iron shirts for classmates. He went on to Wayne State University School of Medicine, graduating in 1963 with a Medical Degree. He was a member of the Nu Sigma Nu medical fraternity. While at Wayne, he did an externship at Bon Secours Hospital in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, conducting histories and physicals. During that time, the nuns provided him with a bed in the interns' quarters and packed his lunch daily. From 1963 to 1964, Bill did his rotating internship at Bon Secours Hospital. He was drafted into the U.S. Army as a Captain in the Medical Corps out of his internship. He and Joanie were stationed at Fort Benning, GA, where Bill did on-the-job training and was the temporary department Chief of Otolaryngology at Martin Army Hospital. From 1965 to 1966, he served as Otolaryngologist for South Vietnam and as commanding officer of the 16th Medical Dispensary, Tan Son Nhut AFB, and Third Field Hospital, Saigon. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, one of the highest citations for meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service. Bill also earned the Vietnam Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He was instrumental in changing a policy from just taking fingerprints to taking footprint inkings for a more accurate and dignified soldier identification in Vietnam. From 1966 to 1967, Bill completed a year of General Surgery Residency at Bon Secours Hospital. In 1967 he began his Otolaryngology Residency (ENT) at the Wayne State University College of Medicine affiliated hospitals in Detroit. During his residency, he covered general practitioners' practices while they vacationed. The office visit was $6.00.....$3 went into the physician's desk drawer, and the remaining $3 went into his pocket. From 1970 to 1997, he practiced Otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, and allergy in Traverse City. He was on the staff of Munson Medical Center and Leelanau Memorial Hospital in Northport. During his medical practice, he began the Laryngectomy Club and would teach patients who had radical neck surgery how to do esophageal speech. Bill was a member of the American Medical Association, Michigan State Medical Society, and Tri-County Medical Society. He was on the Medical Advisory Board, Dallas Foundation of Otolaryngology, and for over 30 years, was a guest instructor for the Surgical Anatomy of the Temporal Bone course at Baylor Hospital. He was a member of the Pan American Allergy Association. Bill was a member of many local clubs, including the Traverse City Rotary Club, where he served on the Charities Board. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and an eager participant in the infamous Rotary Minstrel Show. For years the family hosted Rotary exchange students from Austria in the summer months. Bill was a Knife and Fork Club member and a lifetime member of Elks Lodge 323. He had attended West Side Community Church and the Bible Church of the Lakes. Bill was a collector of antique automobiles, carrying many a bride in his Model-T Touring car. Bill was an avid outdoorsman enjoying boating, canoeing, scuba diving in the Cayman Islands, archery, skeet shooting, big game and upland game hunting. He supported the Boardman River project and participated in restoring fish habitat. He advocated for land conservation in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. After retirement, Bill and Joanie divided their time between Horseshoe Bay, Texas, and their home on Cedar Lake in Traverse City. In the summers, you would often find Bill, his family, friends, and his four-legged companions enjoying the serenity of a sunset cruise around the lake. Bill and Joanie felt fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel to many unique destinations across the globe. After Bill closed his practice, he continued diagnosing and treating family and friends. Bill always said, “Listen to your patients; they will always tell you what is wrong,” and his infamous statement, "It all begins with the head!" His love for medicine was evident to all who knew him.... he was a true patient advocate! The family extends their sincere gratitude to Dr. Robert Pacer, Dr. Mary McPhail-Ciufo, ProMedica Hospice, The Veterans Administration, and his two exceptional caregivers, Sally and Chris. Bill’s Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, March 11, 2023, with visitation from 2-4 pm followed by a time of prayer and reflection at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Military interment will take place at the Oakwood Cemetery at a later date. Should you wish to make a contribution in memory of Bill, please consider supporting TART Trails or the Leelanau Conservancy.

William "Bill" John McCool M.D.

August 12, 1937 - February 5, 2023