William H. Green, radiologist

William H. Green, 74, of Springfield, Delaware County, a leader in area radiology, died Saturday, Feb. 16, of pancreatic cancer at home.

The first interventional radiologist in Delaware County, Dr. Green spent 21 years of his 32-year career at Crozer-Chester Medical Center.

As the center's chairman of radiology, he oversaw the adoption of the CAT scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before such techniques were common, and expanded the center's radiology staff from seven to 27.

"He worked on all that new stuff," said his wife, the former Marita Roellig.

In 1998, he resigned as chairman to devote his energies to breast cancer diagnosis; he founded Crozer-Chester's Breast Imaging Center, which was designated as excellent by the American College of Radiology.

"One of the things he did was to have two people read the films," his wife said.

From 1982 to 1984, Dr. Green was president of the medical staff at Crozer-Chester, and from 1984 to 1986 he served on the hospital's board of directors. He retired, then returned six years ago as a clinical professor to teach medical students, his wife said.

On the Thursday before his death, Dr. Green finished his last class and marked the test papers.

"He typed out all the marks, very slowly, because the students needed them for their next internship," his wife said. He became ill and died days later.

In addition to hospital work, he chaired a practice, Southeast Radiology Ltd., for 25 years, providing radiological services to four medical facilities in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

"He always said his priority was to provide excellence in patient care and to create an environment where physicians of the highest caliber would be happy to work," his wife said. "He wanted technicians and secretaries to be glad to work there, too."

Dr. Green was past president of the Pennsylvania Radiological Society and the Philadelphia Roentgen Ray Society, and a fellow of the American College of Radiology.

Born in Philadelphia, the ninth of 10 children, he graduated from St. Joseph's Preparatory School and St. Joseph University before receiving his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1964. He lived in West Philadelphia, Wallingford, and Springfield.

With four sons, Dr. Green was bound to be active with the Boy Scouts, his wife said. He was an assistant scoutmaster and a scout board member for more than 20 years.

During the Vietnam War, Dr. Green was a lieutenant commander in the Navy and served as chief of cardiovascular radiology at St. Albans Naval Hospital, New York.

"You join the Navy to see the world; we saw Queens," his wife said.

The two married in 1961. They met as teens and were married for 51 years. They enjoyed gardening, traveling, and spending summers in Avalon, N.J., with their grandchildren.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are sons William Jr., Thomas, Vincent and Daniel; daughters Marita Lind and Elizabeth Larin; 12 grandchildren; three brothers; and two sisters. Three brothers and a sister died earlier.

Services have been held. Donations may be made to Greater Philadelphia Voice of the Faithful, Box 281, Lafayette Hill, Pa. 19444.