Dr. William Allen Newton Jr., MD

William Allen Newton, Jr. M.D.

William A. Newton Jr., 97, went to be with his Savior February 25, 2021.

He was born in 1923 to William A. and Florence Emma (Brown) Newton in Traverse City, MI, where he graduated from Central High School in 1940 at age 17, graduated from Alma College in 1943 and then from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1946. He lived in the Columbus, Ohio area from 1952 until his passing, working faithfully for the Children’s Hospital as a pediatric pathologist, hematologist and oncologist, teaching pediatrics and pathology at the Ohio State University and serving in the Army Reserve, reaching rank of Brigadier General commanding the 2291st Medical Reserve unit.

He was preceded in death by Helen, his precious wife of 75 years. He is survived by his children Katherine Newton, Elizabeth Newton, William (Claudia) Newton III, and Nanci (James) Darrough, grandchildren Chelsea (Andre) Martins, William (Madeline) Newton IV, Andrew Newton, Julia Newton, Spencer Darrough, and Helen Darrough, and great-grandchildren Jayden Martins and Ivy Martins.

Dr. Newton lived an incredibly productive life as a physician, researcher, professor, laboratory administrator, military leader, church deacon and choir director, husband and father. William, known as June to his father and sibling brothers, and to many friends as Bill or Doc, was a gracious, and caring person who humbly used his gifts to lead and to serve others. His ‘fun’ was his work, whether treating children suffering from leukemia or cancer, raising sheep at his Johnstown farm, or leading choirs at his church.

He contributed greatly to the good of his fellow man. He is credited with helping to find a cure for a type of childhood leukemia, starting a tissue bank to provide for research, and writing over 160 research publications. He was instrumental in helping build others’ careers, including the training of numerous fellows in pediatric oncology and pathology. In ‘retirement’ years he started an international advisory organization to assist Chinese health professionals to be trained in cancer treatment technologies.

In lieu of flowers, gifts of love in Bill’s honor may be sent to Child Evangelism Fellowship; Box 348 Warrenton, MO 63383-0348; In Memo: National Workers in Hungary-E2HU.

Due to the Coronavirus the family will meet privately for a graveside service and is hoping to host a memorial service for both Bill and his loving wife of 75 years, Helen, in early summer 2021.