William Cahill, M.D., 83, formerly of Oak Park, died on Aug. 6, 2010 at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago from bleeding disorder complications. Born and raised in Oak Park, he graduated from Fenwick High School and studied at Notre Dame until 1944, when he enlisted in the Navy. After working in his father’s printing company, he returned to Notre Dame and graduated in 1948, followed by medical school at Northwestern University. His internship and residency took place at Cook County Hospital. He moved from Oak Park to the North Side of Chicago in the mid-1980s.
Dr. Cahill’s long affiliation with Columbus Hospital began in the early 1950s. He served as president of the medical staff there from 1972 to 1977. An assistant professor of clinical surgery at Northwestern University Medical School from 1960-99, he published numerous articles in medical journals. According to an obituary in the Chicago Tribune, he performed over 28,000 surgeries during his career. His patients included Mike Royko and John Cardinal Cody.
Dr. Cahill is survived by his wife, Paula; his sons, Gerald, William, Thomas, James and Matthew; his daughters, Catherine Anderson, Patricia Hellrigel, Margaret Farnam and Jennifer; and 15 grandchildren.
Services have been held.