William Sites Kiser, MD

William Sites Kiser, MD, 96, died February 12, 2024, at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. The first son of William Raymond and Mabel Sites Kiser. Bill was born January 27, 1928, in Romney, West Virginia. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Eugenia Crow; and survived by three sons - William II (Kristin) of Athens, Ohio; Jonathan (Georgianne) of Rockingham, Virginia; and Stephen (Lisa) of Edwards, Colorado; five grandchildren - Kelsey, Kea, Karl, Rhett, and Grant; one step-great-granddaughter (Adalai); three siblings - Raymona Stump, Romney, West Virginia; James Kiser (Patricia), Woodstock, Virginia; Sudelle Irons, Fountain Hills, Arizona and Karen Kohler, long time care-giver. 

Bill led an extraordinary life. Young Bill was active in 4-H, camping, and snake collecting, and was Valedictorian of his graduating High School class. He received BS and MD degrees at The University of Maryland and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He served four years as flight surgeon with the US Air Force in Morocco and Germany, achieving the rank of Major. After military service he was a Senior Investigator in kidney research at The National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. He joined The Department of Urology of The Cleveland Clinic Foundation in 1964. 

Bill and his surgical colleagues performed the first successful human-to-human kidney transplants using kidneys from cadavers. Pursuing an interest in administration, Bill attended Advanced Management Programs at Case Western Reserve University, The Wharton School at the University of PA, and The Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. He was named Chairman of the Board of Governors and Chief Executive Officer of The Cleveland Clinic Foundation in 1976, a position he held for 13 years. 

The Cleveland Clinic Florida in Ft. Lauderdale was established in 1984 under his leadership. He retired from active medical practice in 1990. Over the years Bill has served as an officer or member of many professional and civic organizations including: Fellow of The American College of Surgeons, President of The American College of Physician Executives, Chairman of The National Advisory Council to the Agency for Health Policy and Research of the U.S. Public Health Service, the Board of Directors of TRW, Inc, and the Dead Fly Fisherman's Society. 

A resident of Shaker Heights, Ohio, Bill enjoyed travel, Sanibel and Captiva Islands, music, decorative arts, reading, was a master gardener, and expert fly-fisherman. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to a charity of your choice. 

Private Interment at Lakeview Cemetery. A celebration of life to be held for Bill and wife Jean on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at THE DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATIONS CENTER OF CHESTERLAND 12811 CHILLICOTHE ROAD (Rt. 306, just south of Mayfield Rd.) TRIBUTE SERVICE STARTING AT 1:00pm FOLLOWED BY RECEPTION UNTIL 4:00PM