Dr. William J. Conroy

Dr. William J. Conroy, 92, of Jacksonville, Florida, formerly of Springfield, died on Monday, April 23, 2018 at the Acosta-Rua Community Hospice Center in Jacksonville, Florida. He was born on August 8, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of the late Robert Bernard Conroy and Mary Ellen (Downey) Conroy. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Robert, Mary (Lee) and Margaret (White); second daughter, Ann T. Madden; and he was twice widowed. Dr. Conroy married the late Patricia M. Branigan on October 23, 1948, in Kankakee, Illinois, and he is survived by five of their six children: Ellen M. Conroy of Tucson, Donna M. Conroy of Chicago, Illinois, William J. Conroy, Jr. of Jacksonville, Florida (wife, Kristie), Neal P. Conroy of Santa Ana, California and Margaret F. King (husband, Jerry) of Pacifica, California. Dr. Conroy married the late Pamela A. White on June 30, 1962, and he is survived by both of their children: James F. Conroy (wife, Dr. Maggie Wills) of Fairfield, Connecticut and Pamela A. Rivera (husband, Rafael) of Chicago, Illinois. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: William J. Conroy, III, Patrick R. Conroy, Aida Conroy, Megan Madden, Erin Madden, Ryan King, Shannon King, Brenna Conroy, Callie Conroy and Rafael Rivera, Jr., and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Dr. Conroy graduated from De La Salle High School in Chicago in 1943 and enlisted in the United States Army. Qualifying for a specialized training program intended to field doctors into the armed forces, he attended St. Marys University in Winona, Minnesota, and thereafter earned his Medical Degree at Loyola University of Chicagos School of Medicine in 1948. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, Illinois and Brooke Army Hospital, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Conroy was a Medical Officer in the United States Army from 1948 to 1956, including service as Chief of Medicine at the Army Hospital located in La Rochelle, France. He practiced privately in Chicago from 1956 to 1959, at which time he joined the Springfield Clinic in Springfield, Illinois. He practiced Internal Medicine at the Clinic until his retirement in 1986, specializing in diabetes. His career in Springfield included service on St. Johns Hospitals Executive Committee of the Medical Staff from 1970 to 1978, including as president from 1974 to 1976. At Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, he was Clinical Associate Professor from 1975 until 1986. Throughout his life, Dr. Conroy was a copious reader and an extensive traveler. He enjoyed visiting family, dining, listening to music, and playing the piano. He was an excellent photographer, and a history, archeology and genealogy buff. His research disclosed his roots to be in Limerick and Roscommon Counties, Ireland. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 29, 2018 at at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. The visitation will begin with a prayer service. Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 30, 2018 at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 524 E. Lawrence Ave., Springfield, with Rev. Braden Maher, celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Springfield. Memorial contributions may be made to: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Illinois, Attn: Memorials and Tributes,1 N. LaSalle St., Suite #1200, Chicago, IL 60602 or American Diabetes Association, 2501 Chatham Rd., Suite #210, Springfield, IL 62704.