William A. Decker

Born: 05/03/1921   Sully
Died: 01/11/2015
Parents: Richard and Marie Decker
Spouse: Greta Louise Decker
Children: Sheila
Address(es):
Interred:
Mausoleum at Mount Ever Rest Cemetery
Kalamazoo , MI
image of William A. Decker

Writings

Image Title Genre Audience Publisher Date
Upper Peninsula Hospital : a history of the Newberry State Hospital Non Fiction , History , Michigan , Picture Book Adult Traverse City, Mich. : Arbutus Press 2012
Northern Michigan Asylum : a history of the Traverse City State Hospital History , Michigan Adult Traverse City, Mich. : Arbutus Press 2010
Image of Asylum for the Insane: a History of the Kalamazoo State Hospital Asylum for the Insane: a History of the Kalamazoo State Hospital Non Fiction Arbutus Press 2008
What is the aim or goal of your writing: I write to preserve the 150 year history of the State of Michigan's compassionate and humane institutional care and treatment of a group of its citizens affliceted with devastating and incapacitating mental ills. I attribute my success to the continuing compassion of the citizenry of the State for the mental welfare of this group of fellow citizens.

May inquiries be sent to you about doing workshops, readings: No

Donated books to the Authors & Illustrators database project: Yes

Skills:
Author

Awards:

Name Date
Michigan Notable Book for Asylum for the Insane 2009
American Psychiatric Association: Distinguished Life Fellowship 2003
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill: Exemplary Psychiatrist Award 1993
Michigan Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 954 1987
Michigan Psychiatric Society: Certificate of Merit 1987
Michigan Department of Mental Health: Certificate of Commendation 1987
Governor James J. Blanchard: Letter of Commendation 1985
Mental Health Association of Michigan: Special Media Award 1985
Michigan Senate Resolution No. 265 1985
Wayne State University, School of Medicine: Certificate of Commendation 1977

Memberships:

Name Date
Progress in the Practice of Medicine, 1930 to 1990, edited by Robert J. Hahn, The Department of History, Western Michigan University
- Listing

Education:

Degree Institution Location Date
Doctor of Medicine Wayne State University, College of Medicine Detroit , MI 1952
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Western Michigan University Kalamazoo , MI 1948

Career:

Position Organization Location Date
Special Examiner Veterans Medical Center Battle Creek , MI 1993 -2003
Psychiatric Auditor Michigan Department of Corrections 1988 -1998
Chief of the Department of Psychiatry Veterans Medical Center Battle Creek , MI 1988
Medical Superintendent Kalamazoo State Hospital Kalamazoo , MI 1974 -1987
Director of Clinical Affairs and Children's Services Kalamazoo State Hospital Kalamazoo , MI 1961 -1974
Assistant Medical Superintendent Pontiac State Hospital Pontiac , MI 1960
Chief, Adult Male Services Kalamazoo State Hospital Kalamazoo , MI 1953 -1959
Medical corps United States Army 1942 -1943
- Forensic Psychiatry, concerning issues of competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility Private practice Kalamazoo , MI

Other Resources:

Last Modified On: 3/1/2015 12:00:00 AM