Willis Walter Zimmerman, D.O.

Willis W. Zimmerman died on January 1, 2010, surrounded by his loving family, at the University of Toledo Medical Center. He was 81. His life was full and satisfying, leaving a wonderful legacy of service and devotion to his family, patients, and community. Dr. Zimmerman was born on July 21, 1928 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma to Arthur Kent and Olive Brown Zimmerman. After his father suffered a serious industrial accident and was healed by an osteopathic physician, Zim aspired to become a physician. Prior to medical school, he served in the Air Force during the Korean conflict. He attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri, receiving his medical degree in 1958. In 1959, he married the love of his life, Janys Ann Murphy, and they enjoyed 50 happy years of marriage. Their two adult children, Richard Elizabeth Zimmerman, a physician and professor of family medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, and K. Ann Zimmerman, an attorney, spouse Raymond Vasvari and five grandchildren, Jonathan, David, Christine and Hannah Zimmerman and Sarah Vasvari, dearly loved him. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, several cousins, and nieces and nephews. Dr. Zimmerman had an active family medical practice on the East side of Toledo for 40 years and was especially skilled at osteopathic manipulation. He was on the staff of four local hospitals, Parkview, where he was Chief of Staff and Director of the Family Practice Residency Program, and St. Charles, St. Vincent and Riverside. He maintained an active medical license until his death, sharing his talents whenever he could. Dr. Zimmerman was a member of Collingwood Presbyterian Church, where he served as Elder and Clerk of Session. His family home was in the South End, where he gave his time to athletic teams, Boy Scouts, and the YMCA. Dr. Zimmerman belonged to the American and Ohio Osteopathic Associations; American and Ohio Medical Associations; the Ohio College of Osteopathic Family Physicians; and the Academy of Medicine of Toledo and Lucas County. He was a Mason, and a member of the Valley of Toledo Scottish Rite Lodge and Lodge 199 in Oklahoma. In Toledo, he supported the symphony, museum of art, botanical gardens, and zoo. He enjoyed tennis well into his later years, and was passionate about gardening and roses. Friends may visit the family on Friday, January 8 from 5-8 pm at Maison-Dardenne-Walker funeral home in Maumee. A memorial service will be held at Collingwood Presbyterian Church in Toledo on Saturday, January 9 at 10:30 AM . The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to his medical college: ATSU-KCOM, attn Development, 800 W Jefferson Street, Kirksville MO 63501 memo line in memory of Willis Zimmerman, to Collingwood Presbyterian Church, or to a charity of the donors choice. www.walkerfuneralhomes.com