Billy Logan Williamson

January 7, 1938 - August 25, 2012

Billy L. Williamson, 74, died August 25, 2012 from complications of pancreatic cancer. Bill suffered decades of ill health, including Cushing’s disease, heart attacks, heart and kidney failure, diabetes, multiple massive strokes and osteoporosis. Bill was born on January 7, 1938, in Twin Falls, Idaho. A gifted and brilliant man, Bill served his country in the Air Force from 1956 to 1959, based in Alaska, Alabama and California, and he continued in the Reserves until 1962. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1965. After law school he was the clerk for Oregon Supreme Court Justice Hall Lusk. In 1966 he became a Deputy DA for Multnomah County; his most noted accomplishments were the successful prosecution of multi-million-dollar insurance fraud cases. In 1969 Bill became a professor of law at the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College where he created the Environmental Law Program and helped set up the Environmental Law Review. For several years he also served as the Executive Secretary for the Judicial Fitness Commission; his function was to process citizen complaints against bad judges. Stories about Bill at the law school are written in the book “Crystalling the Legacy” by Ronald B. Lansing. Bill suffered a massive stroke in 2000 and had to retire. During college and law school, Bill worked as a surveyor for the US Forest Service at the Oakridge Ranger Station and was one of the surveyors for the Waldo Lake Road. He also worked for the Space Systems Division of the US Air Force. Bill loved to hike and backpack with his wife, Darcy, mostly around the area of the Three Sisters. He owned land and grew timber and was preparing to plant a vineyard when he had his stroke in 2000. Bill is survived by his wife, Darcy, whom he married in 1977. He was preceded in death by his parents. At Bill’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial. In his last years, Bill donated to the American Diabetes’ annual charity bike event that raises money to fund research and programs so as to help find a cure for diabetes. Diabetics are at high risk to have medical problems with the pancreas, such as pancreatic cancer. In Bill’s honor, his wife Darcy requests memorial donations to Tour de Cure (American Diabetes Assoc.), 4380 SW Macadam Ave, River Forum 1, Ste 210, Portland, OR 97239.