William Plested Obituary

(Poncho)

June 1936 - June 2025

Husband, father, thoracic surgeon, outdoorsman, pilot, auto mechanic, woodworker, musician, singer, writer, pet lover, and patriot; Bill was truly a Renaissance man. He passed away peacefully on June 8th, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Bill was born in Wichita, Kansas, to William Gordon Plested Jr. and Flora Plested, both of Trinidad, Colorado. His parents were professionals who successfully navigated the Great Depression and instilled in "Poncho" and his younger sister Judy, a work ethic and uncompromising integrity. Summer trips to visit family in Colorado helped him to develop a love for the outdoors and a deep appreciation for Native American Art & Culture.

Bill attended CU Boulder as an undergraduate and the University of Kansas for Medical School. Bill worked at the VA hospital in Westwood, CA, during the Vietnam War. He made his home and raised his children in Los Angeles.

After finishing his thoracic and cardiac specialty training at UCLA Medical School in 1962 he opened and ran a successful private practice in Santa Monica for 40 years. During this time, he also achieved the position of Clinical Professor of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at UCLA Medical School, served on numerous statewide and national healthcare-related boards, and finally became involved in medical politics.

Not content to just succeed in his chosen profession he spearheaded a coalition of physicians to address a medical malpractice crisis in 1975 that eventually lead to monumental legislation in California protecting physician practices and patients. This legislation, MICRA, became the gold standard nationwide. Throughout his career he became a fiercely passionate advocate for both patients and physicians in the Los Angeles County and California Medical Associations serving as President for both organizations. These accomplishments led to his election as President of the American Medical Association in 2006. Bill was also an active leader in the World Medical Association.

In his private life, Bill had 5 children whom he loved with all his heart. In addition to his many admirable skills, Bill's passion was his home in Bayfield on the Pine River. Bill and his wife of 45 years, Carolyn, retired to River Ranch in 2008. Bill's family share many fond memories of fishing, hunting, playing games and cooking fried chicken at the beautiful home on the river. His favorite holiday was the 4th of July, sitting by Vallecito Reservoir singing Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" over and over again.

Even with his considerable professional success, he was most comfortable when wearing his denim shirt, blue jeans, cowboy hat and boots. Unpretentious, Bill loved to help hay, kick tires, find a good bargain and mow his lawn. Retirement found him immersed in community and church involvement in his beloved Bayfield. Every Sunday morning, we would catch Bill out in his truck listening to the Elvis gospel channel, warming up for the church choir.

Bill is survived by his wife Carolyn, children Tamara (Geordie), Stephanie (Ken), William Gordon Plested IV "Chip", Andrea, and Scott, nieces Shelley and Noelle, granddaughter Jessica (Dillon), great-grandchildren Oliver and Maisie, and cousin Gordon East. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. His was a life well lived in which his unwavering commitment to medicine impacted the lives of thousands of patients.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association of Colorado at 455 N. Sherman St. #500 Denver, CO 80203 with a note that they are in memory of Bill Plested.

A memorial gathering will be planned at a later date.