LOCAL COVERAGE. YOU. WATCHING WISN 12 NEWS AT 11. BREAKING NEWS. MILWAUKEE IS REMEMBERING A CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER AND TRAILBLAZING DOCTOR, DOCTOR WILLIAM FINLAYSON DIED YESTERDAY, ACCORDING TO HIS FAMILY. HE WAS 101 YEARS OLD. DOCTOR FINLAYSON WAS ONE OF THE FIRST BLACK PHYSICIANS TO PRACTICE IN MILWAUKEE HOSPITALS AND DELIVERED MORE THAN 10,000 BABIES. DURING HIS CAREER AS AN OB-GYN IN 2023, THE CITY HONORED HIM BY RENAMING FIFTH STREET AS DOCTOR WILLIAM FINLAYSON STREET. FINLAYSON WAS ALSO ACTIVE IN MILWAUKEE’S CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND HELPED ESTABLISH THE CITY’S FIRST BLACK
Trailblazing Black Milwaukee physician Dr. William Finlayson dies at 101
Dr. William Finlayson, one of Milwaukee’s trailblazing Black doctors, has died.
Updated: 3:42 PM CDT May 12, 2026
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Trailblazing physician, Dr. William Finlayson, on of the first Black doctors to practice medicine in Milwaukee hospitals, has died at the age of 101.”His decades of service left an indelible mark on medicine and community health in the region,” a statement from Finlayson’s family said. “Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Finlayson did more than practice medicine. He was a community icon who used his influence to improve the lives of others. “Finlayson was the first Black obstetrician at St. Joseph’s and Mt. Sinai hospitals in Milwaukee. He delivered more than 10,000 babies in his 40-plus-year medical career. “I’ve been in the community for a number of years and I’ve participated in every imaginable way,” Finlayson said in a 2023 profile for Black History Month.Finlayson attended Morehouse College, one of the nation’s top Historically Black Colleges and Universities, with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The two are captured in a photograph during one of King’s many visits to Milwaukee.”It’s been my good fortune to know him. I think one of the things I’m very proud of is a personal letter that he sent me which which I had read,” Finlayson added.Later in his life, Finlayson helped found the North Milwaukee State Bank, a business designed to help Black people and families obtain financial literacy.In 2023, the city renamed a 2.5-mile stretch of 5th Street in Dr. Finlayson’s honor.”I join those mourning the passing of Dr. William Finlayson. He led an impressive and impactful life, professionally and as a community leader,” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said in an emailed statement. “Milwaukee is healthier and stronger because of Dr. Finlayson’s work. With the naming of a prominent street here, his memory is, appropriately, forever part of our city.””Dr. Finlayson’s legacy is a powerful reminder that diverse voices in medicine and in leadership are essential to the overall health of our community. On behalf of Milwaukee County, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, his colleagues, and the thousands of lives he touched,” Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said in a statement. The family statement did not provide a cause of death. A memorial service is expected to be announced at a later date. Top HeadlinesMilwaukee middle school student says school janitor body slammed himMilwaukee courthouse security officer killed in shooting; man, woman arrestedLincoln Park neighborhood residents voice frustration over year-old pothole on 22nd StreetWATCH Search continues for Timmothy Pitzen, 15 years after disappearance
Trailblazing physician, Dr. William Finlayson, on of the first Black doctors to practice medicine in Milwaukee hospitals, has died at the age of 101.
“His decades of service left an indelible mark on medicine and community health in the region,” a statement from Finlayson’s family said. “Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Finlayson did more than practice medicine. He was a community icon who used his influence to improve the lives of others. “
Finlayson was the first Black obstetrician at St. Joseph’s and Mt. Sinai hospitals in Milwaukee. He delivered more than 10,000 babies in his 40-plus-year medical career.
“I’ve been in the community for a number of years and I’ve participated in every imaginable way,” Finlayson said in a 2023 profile for Black History Month.
Finlayson attended Morehouse College, one of the nation’s top Historically Black Colleges and Universities, with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The two are captured in a photograph during one of King’s many visits to Milwaukee.
“It’s been my good fortune to know him. I think one of the things I’m very proud of is a personal letter that he sent me which which I had read,” Finlayson added.
Later in his life, Finlayson helped found the North Milwaukee State Bank, a business designed to help Black people and families obtain financial literacy.
In 2023, the city renamed a 2.5-mile stretch of 5th Street in Dr. Finlayson’s honor.
“I join those mourning the passing of Dr. William Finlayson. He led an impressive and impactful life, professionally and as a community leader,” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said in an emailed statement. “Milwaukee is healthier and stronger because of Dr. Finlayson’s work. With the naming of a prominent street here, his memory is, appropriately, forever part of our city.”
“Dr. Finlayson’s legacy is a powerful reminder that diverse voices in medicine and in leadership are essential to the overall health of our community. On behalf of Milwaukee County, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, his colleagues, and the thousands of lives he touched,” Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said in a statement.
The family statement did not provide a cause of death.
A memorial service is expected to be announced at a later date.
Top Headlines
WATCH Search continues for Timmothy Pitzen, 15 years after disappearance
