William Wood Gough of Virginia Beach passed away peacefully on November 23, 2021. Bill was born on June 13, 1940 in Hampton Virginia, son of the late Melvin Neilson Gough and Clara Wood Gough.

From an early age he was raised by his step-mother Catherine Waters Gough. He was preceded in death by a brother Melvin N. Gough Jr. and sisters Nancy Oehler and Janet Levine and by his step-son Charles Henry Wood Jr.

At age 14 Bill achieved scouting’s highest rank, that of Eagle Scout. He was a graduate of Hampton High School, University of Virginia (1962) and the University of Virginia Medical School (1967). During his time at UVA, Bill was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and the Raven Society. After an internship and residency at Cornell University Medical Center, he completed a postdoctoral Arthritis Foundation Fellowship in Rheumatology.

Bill served as president of the Norfolk Academy of Medicine, Sentara Norfolk Hospitals Medical Staff, Seaboard Medical Society and Prime Plus Senior Center. He was an active member of the Virginia Beach UMC and the Norfolk Rotary Club. In his retirement he enjoyed volunteering at the Virginia Beach Free Clinic, interviewing applicants to EVMS, and spending countless hours working in the yard.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sandra McLean, daughter Shelly Johnson ( Keith) granddaughter Emma Wood (Andrew) and grandson Ben), step-son Eric Wood (daughter Tiffany) and step-daughter-in-law Susan Wood (son Noah and daughters Morgen and Olivia).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Virginia Beach United Methodist Church Foundation Fund or a charity of donors choice.