Director of Indianapolis cancer center dies

Founding director of the IU Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center Dr. Stephen Douglass Williams died Sunday of the very disease to which he devoted his life’s work.

Diagnosed with melanoma in the summer of 2006, Williams died at age 62. A memorial service in his honor is scheduled for Friday.

“He was a pleasant, happy gentleman who loved to play golf and talk politics,” said Marietta Moore, the genitourinary oncology nurse coordinator at the IU Simon Cancer Center. “It’s hard to describe someone who was as good as he was. He just had a love for life.”

Though he was born in Shelbyville, Ind., Williams grew up in Bedford, according to the IU Simon Cancer Center Web site.

After graduating from DePauw University, Williams entered the IU School of Medicine in 1967.

He completed his oncology fellowship and his residency at the IU Medical Center in Indianapolis.

In 1978, Williams became the first appointed oncologist at the Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center.

“He was sort of a full-time Hoosier,” said Dr. George Sledge, professor of medicine at the IU Simon Cancer Center and a colleague of Williams.

Williams’ clinical interests included testicular cancer and ovarian germ cell tumors, for which he received national recognition for his extensive research.

At the 2008 dedication of the expanded IU Simon Cancer Center, Williams was awarded IU’s highest faculty honor, the President’s Medal for Excellence, according to the Web site.

More recently, Williams was presented with the Sagamore of the Wabash, awarded by Gov. Mitch Daniels on Jan. 12.

The Sagamore of the Wabash is one of the highest awards the governor can give, Moore said. Along with the award, Williams received a football signed by Tony Dungy, though Dungy was not able to personally give the football to Williams because he retired the same day the award was presented.

“I never thought of him in terms of awards,” Sledge said. “The biggest thing he did in essence was cure cancer. That’s the real award he won.”

The IU Simon Cancer Center, which is considered one of Williams’ greatest accomplishments, did not exist before he started working on it, Sledge said.

“In essence, he put together the Simon Cancer Center,” he said. “It’s his greatest legacy.”

Mike Etzkorn, a patient of Williams, said Williams basically saved his life.

“I was an unusual case since I didn’t respond to the first round of chemotherapy,” Etzkorn said. “He had the ability to pull other doctors to my case. Though I was a patient, I also considered myself a friend.”

Outside of work, Williams loved to cook, said Judy Kennedy, Williams’ secretary.

“He was just a giant,” Moore said. “His death is a devastating blow to most of his
patients.”

Williams is survived by his wife, Kathryn, and two children, Thomas and Caroline, according to the Web site.

“More than anyone else, Stephen was loved by his colleagues,” Sledge said. “He’s one of the most wonderful human beings his colleagues have ever met.”