William Renick Hutson, MD, age 69, passed away on August 2, 2025, in Tampa, Florida.
Born on January 7, 1956, in Cumberland, Maryland, William was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Virginia Cunningham Hutson, and his father, Dr. Lorraine McNeill Hutson. He is survived by his daughter, Megan Silva, and her husband Jared, along with three beautiful grandchildren: Rylee, Rayah, and Kyden. He is also survived by his partner, Ernesto Gonzalez, and his brother, H. McNeill (“Mac”) Hutson, and Mac’s wife, Debbie.
A 1974 graduate of Petersburg High School, William was a dedicated student-athlete, competing in both football and track. He continued his academic journey at West Virginia University, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1978, and earned his medical degree from the WVU School of Medicine in 1982, where he received honors in numerous specialties, including Pulmonary, Gastroenterology, Radiology, Emergency Medicine, Endocrinology, and Orthopedics.
He completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at West Virginia University/Charleston Area Medical Center and went on to pursue a fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Pittsburgh. Throughout his distinguished career, he earned numerous accolades for both his research and teaching, including:
- 1985: Original Research Award, WVU Charleston Division
- 1985: Ciba-Geigy Award for Most Outstanding Medical Resident
- 1985: Research Competition Finalist, American College of Physicians Regional Meeting
- 1990–1992: OSR Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of Utah Chapter (twice awarded)
- 2007–2011: Selected by peers for Best Doctors in America
- 2009–2010: Who’s Who of Doctors
- 2011: Patients’ Choice Physician Award
- 2011: America’s Top Gastroenterologists
- 2012–2013, 2016: Top Doctor’s Award
- 2014: AGA Fellowship
- 2017: Shock Trauma Hero’s Award, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland Medical Center
Dr. Hutson’s clinical focus was in hepatology, particularly in the treatment of liver disease and liver transplantation. His impact extended beyond the bedside, as he mentored generations of students, residents, and fellows. He authored numerous publications, with research interests in hepatitis C (especially among liver transplant patients), insulin resistance, cholangiocarcinoma treatment through liver transplantation, fatty liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, and the creation of a hepatic research registry.
At the time of his passing, he served as Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Director of Hepatology, and Medical Director of Liver Transplantation in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He was also a clinician and investigator with the Gastrointestinal Cancer Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Beyond medicine, William found his greatest joy in his daughter, Megan, and more recently, in the boundless energy and love of his grandchildren. He was a passionate outdoorsman who especially loved snow skiing the mountains of Utah. He also took pride in weightlifting, enjoyed international travel, and had a signature sense of style marked by his Superman T-shirt, high-top sneakers and the color red.
William will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, patients, and the thousands of medical professionals whose lives and careers he helped shape.
A Celebration of Life will be held on September 6, 2025, from 6–8 p.m. at 1040 S Oxford Circle, Fruit Heights Utah, 84037. Please consider wearing red, a Superman T-shirt, or high-top sneakers in his honor as a reminder of a joyful spirit and a life well lived.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Transplant Buddy Fund in memory of William R. Hutson, M.D. University of Utah, 50 North Medical Drive E2400 Salt Lake City, UT 84132 or via U Give app.utah.edu in support of a cause close to William’s heart.
