Dr. William Krall, who comforted countless in Butler County with hospice care, dies 70

Dr. William Krall, an advocate for hospice care and easing the pain of the dying, died Tuesday. He was 70

In 2013, Krall told the Journal-News there were misconceptions about hospice care, including that it is morbid, depressing and heartbreaking.

Instead, he said, hospice care — a relatively new concept to many at the time — can bring great comfort to the dying, their families and friends.

“If they’ve reassured their family that it’s okay, my time has come, that’s a warm and satisfying feeling,” Krall told this media outlet. “Certainly the family is going to be sad at the passing of a loved one, but they do it with dignity, surrounded by friends and family.”

Dr. Krall, a Hamilton native who was living in Fairfield, was born Dec. 21, 1948 in Hamilton, the son of Emil and Wanda (Taylor) Krall. He married Joann Minton Dec. 20, 1970, and their marriage lasted 48 years. He was a 1966 graduate of Hamilton Taft High School, and graduated from Miami University and The Ohio State University, completing his internships and residency at the University of Cincinnati.

Board certified in both Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Disease, he practiced in the Hamilton-Fairfield area since July, 1979.

He became an assistant director of Hospice of Cincinnati and then medical director of the inpatient unit in Hamilton.

“I’m going to die, you’re going to die, we’re all going to die,” he said in the 2013 article, arguing it can be futile to try to cure every disease and keep people alive. “If we realize that or know that we have a limited time and the disease that we have is not something we’re going to cure, then I don’t want to waste my time on futile efforts. I’d rather spend my time doing something I like.”

He is survived by his wife; daughters, Jennifer and her husband Jonathan Allen, Elizabeth and her husband Joseph Hisdorf, and Sarah and her husband Brian Jones; brother, Dennis Krall; grandchildren, Jacob Allen, Nicolas Allen, Mia Hisdorf, Molly Hisdorf, Benjamin Jones, and Jackson Jones.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday February 16th for close family and friends from noon to 2 p.m., and open to all from 2:30-4 p.m. at the Savannah Center, 5533 Chappell Crossing Blvd., West Chester, OH 45069. Condolences may be offered at www.avancefuneralhome.com.

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