William Tipton Obituary

Bill and I went to high school together and then college in Chico, CA. He and I were good friends and members of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. I have several photos of him taken about 1959. I will be pleased to send some to any friends or family. I visited him at the office of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons in 2003. What caught my attention was the love all staff there had for him. I will miss him very much. My prayers are with his family. Tony Edler

Dr. Tipton gave me a life I would not have had without him. He performed a double knee realignment on me when I was 17 that let me go from a prepetually injured kid to being a fairly decent athlete. Moreover though, what Dr. Tipton did was free me from the bondage of pain and let me find the joy of sports. To him I can only give the one thing he would have longed to have heard more than anything: Thank you for a life. My deepest sympathy to his family and colleagues on his too early demise.

Dr Tipton was not only an accomplished surgeon and administrator, but he was also a generous supporter and outspoken advocate of orthopaedic nursing. He will be greatly missed.



Anita Meehan, MSN, RN, ONC

Past President, National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses

I graduated from Creighton medical school with Bill...even then he was "bigger than life". Although I only saw him on rare occasions since, I became aware of his success and leadership role in his chosen field of Orthopedic Surgery.My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Knowing Bill Tipton as a surgeon and physician medical staff representative are blessings in my life as a health care professional. He was a man of integrity who was thoughtful and honest in his discussions and decisions. My sympathy to his family at his passing.

I remember Bill with deepest affection as a dedicated physician and surgeon as well as a man who embraced life fully. Everyone lit up and glowed a little brighter when Bill entered the room. Sad when he left for Chicago, sadder now that he has left us for another place. Love to Patti and the family.

Deepest sympathies to Dr. Tipton's family on this sad loss. His candor and honesty were great assets in addition to being an all-around nice guy.

Tip, as he was always known to his family of origin, was a wonderful person, an inspirational "big cousin", and the love of his parents, sisters and younger brother. We, his Tipton cousins, will always remember him not for his many professional achievements, but for his huge heart and great sense of humor, and his deep love for all his family. We grieve for Pat and the children.

Dr. Tipton was a highly regarded physician during his practice here in Sacramento. Those who knew him will remember his positive out look on life and his desire to find solutions to the problems facing health care. I always looked forward to meeting him at meetings and I always hoped he would return to Sacramento one day. The Board of Directors, staff and membership of the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Societyy extend our sympathy to the family.

Bill will be greatly missed by us all. Our sincere sympathy to the entire family. Florence & Jerry Cotler