William Won Obituary

WILLIAM WAH TSYUN WON Dr. William "Bill" W. T. Won passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on September 12, 2023 at age 92. Bill was born in Honolulu, HI in 1931 to Kee Fat Won and Yong Sell Yung. The youngest of 12 children, he graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1949. He received the Harvard Prize Book in 1948, began his college career at the University of Hawaii, and graduated in 1953 from Columbia College in New York. He received his MD from State University of New York Downstate College of Medicine in 1957. After one year of internship, he served in Japan as a captain in the US Air Force through the US Congress' Berry Plan military doctor draft before beginning his training in neurosurgery at the Columbia Presbyterian Neurological Institute. He was married in 1961 and returned to Hawaii to practice in 1965. As one of the pioneers of neurosurgery in Hawaii, he introduced the state's first pneumoencephalogram chair, allowing for imaging of the brain before the days of CT and MRI scans. Dr. Won was a talented and dedicated surgeon who touched the lives of many patients and families. He served Hawaii for 31 years, operating at St. Francis Hospital, Queen's Medical Center, and Kapiolani Children's Hospital. Although Bill was very busy caring for his patients, he also tried to attend to the spiritual needs of underserved populations as a volunteer with Prison Fellowship's weekly Bible Study. In his spare time, Bill loved to travel and visited every continent except Antarctica. His enthusiasm for exploration was matched by his passion for the arts, and he enjoyed many seasons of the Symphony and the Opera (he served on the board). As a longtime fellow of the Honolulu Art Academy and member of the Society of Asian Art of Hawaii, Bill had an eye for antique Chinese fine art. Through that, he and his wife, Dr. Margaret Lai, were able to create a financial aid fund for Punahou students in need of tuition assistance. After retirement, Bill and Margaret volunteered, making deliveries for Hawaii Meals on Wheels for over 15 years. Bill was a devout Christian, an active member of Kaimuki Christian Church, and a generous supporter of Christian organizations and medical missions around the globe. He also enjoyed gardening, sharing meals with family and friends, and walking up and down his hill every day. Known as "Yeh Yeh" to his grandchildren, he faithfully picked them up from school and drove them to and from their activities, taught them the importance of a good education, and indulged them in ice cream, milkshakes and smoothies after school. Bill is survived by his wife, Dr. Margaret Lai, sister Blanche, son Eric, daughter-in-law Aida, four grandchildren Deborah, Daralyn, Deanna and Daniel, and many loving extended family members and friends. He will be dearly missed by many. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Kaimuki Christian Church. Visitation 9:30am, Service 10:30am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kaimuki Christian Church or your favorite charity. Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC