WILLIAM P. DEISS, JR., M.D.
1923-2017
Galveston – William P. Deiss, Jr., M.D. died on September 4, 2017. He was born on February 1, 1923 in Shelbyville, Kentucky to Florence and William P. Deiss. He received a B.S. from Notre Dame and an M.D. from University of Illinois (Chicago) in 1945. After an internship at University of Wisconsin( Madison ), he served as a transport surgeon in the Atlantic as an Army captain from 1946-48. He spent the next six years at the University of Wisconsin in medical residency and fellowship and in biochemistry. His professional career included full time faculty appointments at Duke, Indiana, UTMB (Galveston, Texas) and Medical College of Virginia. He had various administrative positions including Chief of Medicine at Durham VAH, Chief of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Indiana University, and Chairman of Medicine at UTMB.
He served on several advisory committees on medical research for NIH and the American Board of Internal Medicine board of governors and ran active research program in thyroid physiology and bone metabolism. Dr. Deiss considered his most rewarding professional function that of bedside teaching of medical students and residents which occupied the majority of his medical career until his retirement in 1998.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Elizabeth Matson Deiss, his brother Joseph Deiss, his children by his first wife Bettye Baker (Deceased): W. David Deiss of Vermont, Diana Mysliwiec of Chevy Chase, MD, and Paula Roberts of Galveston; William W., Randy B., and Paul Roberts; Anna G., and Catherine Mysliwiec; step daughters: Ann Wilbanks of Houston, Lisa Campo of Pearland and her children Elizabeth and Stephen Campo; step son Lew Benham and his daughter Ashley; and greatgrandchildren: Liam, Henry and Finn Roberts.
He is preceded in death by his grandsons Joseph and Patrick Campo.
Donations should be made to Ronald McDonald House –rmhg.org or Department of Internal Medicine at 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77555.
A private family graveside was held at Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster, Texas.
For those who wish to make online condolences, please go to jlevyfuneralhome.com.