William Medwied, 90 a Holocaust survivor from Ukraine, passed peacefully on September 30. There is a tradition that when people die on Shabbat they are immediately in heaven with G-d.
Medwied spent the war years in Siberia with his mother. His father was in the Russian army and did not survive.He came to the United States in 1946 with his mother and stepfather. “Bill” was an active member of the New Life Club of San Diego along with his wife, Ilona, also a Holocaust survivor. He is remembered as a kind gentleman who enjoyed a good conversation with friends of this organization.
He is survived by his wife, Ilona Medwied, 3 daughters, 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. The family said donation may be made to Hadassah Medical in Israel.
On a personal note: I will always remember Bill with a smile. He enjoyed a good conversation with his dear friend Gerald Szames, also a Ukraine Holocaust survivor. I enjoyed photographing Bill because of his eyes and smile.
Sandy Scheller, daughter of two Holocaust survivors, is the curator of the Holocaust exhibit at the Rancho San Diego County Library.
Republished from San Diego Jewish World
