Semon, Dr. William J. 1950-2011

SEMON, ROSTAL, CURRIER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 3/28/2020 at 15:06:10

Dr. William J. Semon
August 16, 1950 - May 12, 2011
Born in Jamaica, NY,
Resided in Urbandale, IA

Dr. William J. Semon passed away on Thursday, May 12, 2011 at Mercy Hospital Medical Center surrounded by his family and colleagues. He had been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer 18 months ago. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, May 14, at St. Pius X Catholic Church with burial to follow at Glendale Cemetery.

Bill was born on August 16, 1950 to Victor and Petronelle Semon in Jamaica, New York. He attended State University of New York at Binghamton and went to Medical School at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Following an internship in Detroit, Michigan where he met his wife, Linda, Bill did his Internal Medicine Residency and Gastroenterology Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.

Bill and Linda married in June of 1980 and have one daughter, Jennifer Lynn.

In 1983 Bill and Linda moved to Des Moines where Bill took a position with Des Moines University. Since 1987 he has been with Iowa Digestive Disease Center. Despite the seriousness of his illness, with the help of his partners and the staff of Mercy Hospital Medical Center, Bill was able to achieve his goal of attending Jennifer's wedding at St. Ambrose Cathedral on April 30th.

Bill enjoyed good food and wine, and loved entertaining.

Bill is survived by his wife, Linda; daughter, Jennifer (Scott) Rostal of St. Paul, MN; brother, Robert (Mellanee) of Yorktown, VA; and nieces Meredith (John) Currier of Fayetteville, NC and Lindsey Semon of Hampton, VA.

Bill met his illness as he did everything in life...head on and with his eyes wide open. His medical specialty being what it was, he knew all too much about what might lay ahead; but he never gave up and always remained hopeful that treatments would allow him to be with his family for a longer period of time.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 13, at Iles Funeral Homes-Westover Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mercy Foundation-Dr. William J. Semon Fund, 411 Laurel St. Suite 2250, Des Moines, Iowa 50314. Monies will be used to help local families with cancer related expenses.

ARRANGEMENTS BY ILES FUNERAL HOMES ~ WESTOVER CHAPEL. ~ The Des Moines (IA) Register, Tues 17 May 2011.