Dr. William David McKeown

Dr. William David McKeown or just “Bill” to many, a beloved father, grandfather, generous friend, and longtime Internal Medicine physician, passed away on January 24, 2025, at the age of 74. 

Bill was born at the 98th General Hospital, in Munich, Germany on August 3, 1950, to the late Douglass and Gitte McKeown.  He grew up in Newton-Conover, the middle child of 3 with an older brother, Douglas and younger sister, Suzie. Bill attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the Morehead Scholarship and continued his education at The Bowman Gray School of Medicine.  He completed his residency program at Moses H. Cone Hospital and began practicing medicine serving the community of Guilford County until his passing. 

Bill cherished his family deeply and was always full of love, support, and guidance to each of them.  He was a devoted father of Christopher (Julie) of Summerfield, Phillip (Cami) of Matthews, and Julianne (Thomas) of Wake Forest.  All that knew Bill, knew his adoration of his four grandchildren, Alexander and Breckyn McKeown and James and Lincoln Jacobsen. He would spend his free time visiting his children and grandchildren.  

A practicing physician for 45 years, Bill was passionate in his commitment to his patients and their wellbeing. While he did not like his patients to call him “doctor”, he truly found his calling connecting with people by way of the physician-patient relationship. His children have heard so many stories where patients share how comfortable he made them and how real of a person he was by practicing medicine in his blue jeans and flannel shirts. In addition, many stories are frequently shared of his commitment to his patients knowing when they came to see him that the wait would be long, but once it was their turn they would never be rushed. He considered it a blessing to truly know his patients and their families, taking care of generation after generation of many families. There was never anything he wouldn’t do to make sure all that looked to him as their physician were cared for and it was not uncommon for him to receive a call after hours or on a weekend, and him to tell the caller to meet him at the office.

The team and staff of his practice, Greensboro Adult and Adolescent Internal Medicine, became a second family to Bill. He truly loved each of his employees dearly and wanted the best for them and their loved ones.  He provided an environment different than today’s medical practices for his patients and his team helped carry out his vision. This family and culture could not have occurred without his longtime friend and business partner, Penny Welch.  Penny and her family were an extension of his own family and Bill’s children are so very grateful for their impact on his life.   

Bill’s memory will live not just in the hearts of all who knew him, but though the imprints and investments of the kindness he deposited into others daily.  He leaves behind a legacy of care, compassion and love for his family, friends, and patients.

Memorial service plans will be announced at a future date.  If you would like to share a memory with the family of your time with Bill that may be incorporated into his memorial, please send it to myfriendbillgaaim@gmail.com .    

In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice in his honor would be appreciated.  If you would like to share that honor where it would impact his beloved grandchildren,  a donation to Caldwell Academy (www.caldwellacademy.org-“Give”) may be made in Dr. McKeown’s memory to honor his grandchildren, Alexander and Breckyn McKeown, where his faith in God and the pursuit of learning are poured into them at this school daily.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. William David McKeown, please visit our floral store.