- Date Of Birth: December 10, 1942
- Date Of Death: October 7, 2022
- State: Florida
William James Kilgus, MD, 79 of Kissimmee, Florida passed away peacefully at home on Friday, October 7, 2022 with his loving wife and daughter by his side. William was born in New York City, New York, on December 10, 1942, the son of Dr. John Henry Kilgus, MD and Charlotte (Doonan) Kilgus of Bronxville, New York. He moved to Kissimmee in 2004 from Hopewell Junction, New York. Bill was a graduate of Fordham Prep and went on to receive a B.S. in Biology from Fordham University in 1964. In 1969, he graduated from the University of Bologna Medical School in Italy. After completing his Orthopedic Surgical Residency in 1975 at NYU Bellevue Medical Center in New York City, he pursued his lifelong passion by opening his surgical practice in Manchester, NH. Bill was affiliated with both Catholic Medical Center and the Elliot Hospital. The practice of medicine for Bill was a true calling, and he loved practicing in a community where over the years he was often able to treat three generations of a patient’s family and have that continuity of care and friendship with his patients.
Bill had the honor of serving as a member of the Catholic Medical Center Board of Incorporator’s (1980-1998), and also on the Board of Trustees(1988-1990). He also served as Chief of Orthopedic Surgery (1982-1984 and 1988-1990)and Chairman of the Credentials Committee and president of the Medical Staff (1990-1992) at the Catholic Medical Center.
In his retirement, Bill volunteered in local medical clinics serving uninsured patients in Orange and Osceola Counties in Florida.
Bill loved traveling to Europe and cruising to far off ports with his family. He had an avid interest in learning foreign languages, reading medical texts and spy thrillers. He loved listening to classical music and opera, and enjoyed hiking and skiing in the great outdoors of Waterville Valley which he considered to be his little piece of heaven on earth.
William is survived by his loving wife of 47 Years, Elizabeth Kilgus of Kissimmee, Florida, his beloved daughter, Jennifer Ann Smits-Kilgus and her husband Bob of Nootdorp, Netherlands; his two dearly loved grandchildren: Isabelle and Sebastiaan of the Netherlands; his brother: John Kilgus and his wife Peggy of Denver, Colorado; his sisters: Frances Kilgus of Kissimmee, Florida, Mary Jackson and her husband Joseph of Lavallette, New Jersey; his brother in-law: Vincent Trimarco and his wife Eileen of Princeton, New Jersey; several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and a host of friends.
