Dr. William L. London IV, 1930–2014

Monday, October 27, 2014

Dr. William L. London IV treated generations of children in Durham, NC, for more than 40 years. He generously volunteered countless hours to the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) over two decades. In 2000, he received the Distinguished Service Award from his alma mater, the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

Dr. London died Oct. 20, 2014, just days before his 84th birthday.

“Many members of the ABP staff have fond memories of working with Dr. London,” said ABP President and CEO, David G. Nichols, MD, MBA. “He was always thought of as kind and joyful and was a highly respected member of the North Carolina pediatric community. He not only shared his enthusiasm and knowledge of pediatric medicine, but he treated the children of many of our staff.

Volunteers like Dr. London — who are deeply devoted to medicine and who understand the needs of patients and their parents — are the backbone of the ABP.”

Dr. London started his volunteer work with the ABP in 1979, as one of the physicians on a panel who administered oral exams to certify new pediatricians. He was a member of the ABP Board of Directors from 1991–1996, and served on the New Subspecialties Committee from 1991–1999.

He not only treated individual patients, but also was a leader in improving children’s health throughout the region. In 1964, Dr. London chaired a committee to provide polio vaccines to all residents of Durham and Orange counties. Additionally, he was president of the medical staff at Watts Hospital, and later Durham Regional Hospital, and was Chief of Pediatrics at Watts, Lincoln and Durham Regional hospitals. He also enjoyed teaching medical students and young doctors as an associate clinical professor at UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University.

He held local, state and national positions with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the North Carolina Pediatric Society.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carolyn White London, two children, John Haughton London, William Lord (Skip) London and his wife Lisa, and four grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the William L. and Carolyn London Loyalty Fund, a scholarship for medical students at the University of North Carolina.

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