William E. Philion was born in Hudson Falls in 1926, the son of Wilfred and Elizabeth (Hart) Philion. Upon graduation from Hudson Falls High School, Mr. Philion enlisted in the Navy and served with U.S. Amphibious Assault Forces as a radioman on LSM 413. After his service to his country, he attended the University of Bridgeport Connecticut and graduated from Skidmore College with a degree in Hospital Administration. He married Florence Adams in 1951.
Mr. Philion had a long and distinguished career at Glens Falls Hospital from 1950 until his retirement in 1989. During those 39 years he held the positions of Personnel Director, Assistant Superintendent, Administrator, Executive Vice President, Superintendent, and President/Chief Executive Officer. In two capital campaigns, he raised over $8 million for the Pruyn Pavilion, Juckett Family Cardiac Catheterization Suite and renovation of the Floyd H. Rourke Inpatient Surgery Center. He was also the founding member and board chairman for the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation.
Career initiatives included the West Tower project (1975), a behavioral Health Unit, Emergency Room expansion, Quality Assurance program, Mobil Dental Unit, Day Surgery Unit, the first ultrasound imaging device in the area, The Hearing Center, and numerous other accomplishments that benefited the hospital and surrounding community. He also served on the Boards of Evergreen N.A., Finch Pruyn, and NAMIC U.S.A. Corporation.
Mr. Philion had a deep and abiding pride in his Hudson Falls birthright, and enjoyed his retirement with family and friends, relishing the time he was able to spend in his hometown. He passed away in December of 2002 at the age of 76.