Bill Mollihan Obituary

Mollihan MD, William V. Much of Bill Mollihan's youth was spent in an orphanage in Keyser, West Virginia; the view from his shared bedroom was of the farm he and the other children worked before and after school. Most of his adult life, Bill's view was decidedly different. From the sixty-sixth floor of Water Tower Place he, and his many, many friends, could see far across Lake Michigan, and down onto the Magnificent Mile. Born in 1934 into a family living a hardscrabble existence in one of the poorest states in the nation, Bill was placed in the Burlington School for Children orphanage because there wasn't enough at home to keep them clothed and fed. Wearing donated clothes, Bill worked the farm, held another job, and focused intensely on his studies. An encounter at his job at the local hospital proved life-changing; in awe of the seeming wealth and comfort enjoyed by one of the gentlemen working at the hospital, the young Mollihan asked what he did. When he learned the man was a doctor, Bill's course in life was set. From Keyser High School, Bill gained acceptance to the nursing program at Alexian Brothers Hospital, then went on to earn his Certified Nurse Anesthetist degree at St Mary of Nazareth. Bill then applied to the University of Notre Dame as a member of the class of 1959. His entry to the storied institution came after he wrote a letter to the admissions department; as his family had no money, Bill offered to work the night shift in the infirmary in exchange for tuition. A science pre-professional major, Bill struggled academically, but his drive and dedication convinced his instructors he'd amount to something. While in nursing school, Bill met and married Francine Korte, the daughter of a well-to-do owner of a manufacturing company. While the marriage did not last, over the years Bill's devotion to his five children grew ever stronger. They accompanied him on many of his trips to Aspen and Vail, were always at the Bill's annual Christmas Party at the Ritz-Carlton (along with about four hundred of his closest friends). Bill and the children enjoyed March trips to Chicago White Sox spring training camp, and attended many a Notre Dame football game with Bill's friends ardent ND fans all. Bill was admitted to Loyola University's Strich School of Medicine due in no small part to a strongly worded call from a beloved professor, Emil Hofman Ph.D to the Loyola admissions director. Dean Hofman informed Loyola that a failure to admit his former student would cause Hofman to not recommend Loyola to any Notre Dame students in the future. The tongue-in-cheek "recommendation" had the desired effect, and Bill flourished in medical school. After serving two years in the Navy at Great Lakes, Bill completed his residency at the University of Illinois Hospital and Medical Center before becoming Chair of the Department of Radiology at Oak Park Hospital. His social calendar was packed. Out to dinner every night (where he often wrote of his dining experiences under a pseudonym for a Chicago paper) with friends and his many romantic interests. Bill maintained his stamina by running marathons and playing racquetball. That stamina was often needed, as parties on his boat The Big M were highly athletic affairs with dancing on all decks. One of the first Americans to discover Acapulco, Bill continued visiting the villas of Las Brisas until his final trip late last fall, when his children and grandchildren accompanied him on what became his final visit. When not in his physician's white coat, Bill was always among the best-dressed men in the city; his wardrobe always current and beautifully tailored. A lifelong and ardent supporter of his alma mater, Bill received Notre Dame's William D. Reynolds Award in 1998. The Award, conferred on an alumnus/alumna (living or deceased) for exceptional work with youth for the betterment of the quality of life was partly in recognition of his financial support of student scholarships. Bill founded the Emil T. Hofman scholarship endowment in 1973; it is now worth about $1 million. An astute businessman, Bill's business interests included founding Medi-Data, one of the first medical billing companies in the area, the radiology practices at Oak Park, St Mary's, and Gottlieb hospitals, and a limited partnership in the Sox. Bill is survived by his long-time companion Martie Siem; former wife, Francine Devitt; daughters Kathy Logan, Debbie Paduda, Patti Kokosa and Diane Walker MD and daughter-in-law Michelle Mollihan; and fourteen grandchildren; his son Michael predeceased Bill. Bill lived life as it should be lived. He made himself a success, never forgot his family in West Virginia, and left behind a legacy of generosity, a thriving family, hundreds of friends, and a great University all made better by him. In lieu of flowers, Bill has requested that anyone desiring to express their condolences consider supporting the Hofman Scholarship. Donations to the Dr. Emil T. Hofman Scholarship Fund may be sent to: University of Notre Dame, Attention: Dr. Emil T. Hofman Scholarship Fund, 1100 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556.