Bill Thomas Peters

1938 - 2016

May His Memory Be Eternal
Bill was indeed an exceptional human being. He couldn't wait to get his life started and was born on June 22, 1938 in a yellow taxi cab on State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah to adoring parents, Thomas and Angeline Polychronopoulos Peters. From Bill's earliest day family meant everything to him, which defined him throughout his life. Bill was active in sports and music, mastering and playing multiple brass horns and other instruments. After graduating from Granite High School, Bill joined the United States Navy serving throughout the South Pacific on the Piedmont Destroyer. Bill was honorably discharged from the Navy after serving 3 years. Immediately following his discharge Bill enrolled at the University of Utah, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1964. In 1964 Bill married Victoria Speros, who has been by his side and his biggest supporter for over half a century. Two years later in 1966, Bill received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Utah and quickly began an illustrious legal career that spanned over 40 years. Bill loved the Law and was always willing to take on difficult cases and help anyone he could who needed sound legal advice and assistance.
Together Bill and Victoria have three children who were the center of his life, Angela Peters Murphy, Katherine Peters, and Thomas Peters. It was Bill's love of the Law in its purest form and his constant quest to be the best at his discipline, which may have attracted his three children to follow in his footsteps by all becoming practicing attorneys. Bill was very proud of his children's accomplishments, but was most proud of the fact that in his opinion they became people of good character who knew the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect.
Bill specialized in property tax litigation in a number of capacities, including special tax counsel beginning in 1971 for Salt Lake County and then later for each of the twenty-nine Counties in the State of Utah, and as special counsel to the Utah State Legislature for tax matters. Bill represented the Utah Counties in major tax litigation before the Utah State Tax Commission, Federal and State courts and Utah Supreme Court with many landmark legal decisions being published in his client's' favor. He litigated cases involving all types of centrally assessed and locally assessed properties, including railroads, mines, utilities, pipelines, oil and gas properties, rocket motor manufacturing facilities, shopping malls, and office complexes. Bill was used as an expert resource for assessors, auditors and appraisers in ascertaining how to value all types of businesses and properties for ad valorem tax purposes. He also practiced in the areas of complex business transactions, real estate and estate planning.
Bill routinely was asked to appear and present internationally at various tax and revenue conferences, speaking at the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) legal seminars throughout the United States and Canada. Bill was also sought after to lecture and assist law schools throughout the country with their budding government and local taxation curriculum. Throughout his career he published many articles on property tax issues in the leading trade journals. He was the recipient of the Utah Chapter IAAO outstanding member award. Bill was a trendsetter and leading legal advocate for ad valorem property tax issues throughout the United States in addition to serving as counsel for the Utah Technology Finance Corporation and as a member of the Property Tax Recodification Subcommittee for the State of Utah.
The Utah Supreme Court throughout the years turned to Bill for his advice and leadership for special task forces to assist the Court in providing clarity, fairness and uniformity in the application of Utah law. First being appointed by Chief Justice Gordon R. Hall, to the Utah Supreme Court's Appellate Court Task Force and then by Chief Justice Michael Zimmerman to serve on the Utah Supreme Court Task Force on appellate Representation of Indigent Defendants and again to assist the Utah Supreme Court on its Special Tax Task Force dealing with the overflow of various tax cases. Bill acted as special Counsel, Pro-bono, for Judge Memorial Catholic High School, achieving a favorable decision by the Utah Supreme Court exempting a major construction project at the high school from sales tax.
Bill loved being a lawyer and believed that his service and commitment to his fellow men and women was not only a necessity but a responsibility. He often said he learned how to be a better person by helping and assisting others and trying to make everyone's life around him more pleasant. Prior to retiring he was a founding member of the law firm Peters Scofield, in addition to being the founding member of multiple successful law firms throughout the years.
Bill loved all genres of music with classical and jazz being his favorites. Although at times the busiest lawyer in town, he found the time to play many years in the Capital Brass Band and El Kalah band, playing multiple instruments. With the Capitol Brass Band, Bill commemorated the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by performing at all of Utah's State and National Parks. When he wasn't playing or listening to music Bill enjoyed reading, often finishing 3-4 books in a week.
Bill was a true "renaissance man" with varying interests from fly fishing on the Green River, to visiting classical and art history museums throughout the world. He found fulfillment in his service to his local and state communities by serving on nonprofit boards and providing pro bono legal advice to anyone in need. Bill served as President of the Salt Lake Greek Orthodox Community, in addition to providing years of pro bono work for his Church. Bill was a board member of the Hellenic Cultural Association which operates a museum in the state of Utah preserving the rich heritage of immigrating Greeks and their families.
Bill was appointed by Governor Calvin R. Rampton to be a Commissioner for the Utah Bi-Centennial Commission. After his appointment was approved by the Utah Legislature, he served in that capacity for over seven years. As a Bi-Centennial Commissioner, he served on the Horizons Committee, which was involved with the creation of Symphony Hall and the restoration of the Capital Theatre. He served on the Juvenile Court Advisory Committee, City Court Judicial Nominating Committee, Crossroads Urban Center Community Pantry, and the Salt Lake Religious Community Committee on Aging. In 1986, Bill became Potentate of the Utah Shriners. He served as an emeritus member of the Shriners Hospital, Board of Governors and for nine years as Chairman of Shriners Hospital, Inter-mountain Unit. Bill's involvement with the children at Shriners Hospital always held a special place in his heart throughout the years. In addition to serving on the Board of Governors for the hospital, Bill provided pro bono legal services throughout his career. During his tenure on the Board of Governors, Bill was involved with the overall operation of the hospital, as well as the planning implementation, construction and completion of the new Intermountain Unit of Shriners Hospital. He oversaw and supervised the dedication of the new Shriners Hospital on June 1, 1996. In that capacity, he reviewed and was involved in the approval process and funding of three major on-going research projects at the University of Utah Medical Center in areas dealing with Orthopedic related diseases and birth defects in children, including genetic research into club-foot occurrences in children.
Bill was a Master Mason and member of Mount Moriah and then affiliated with Twin Peaks Lodge. He was also a member of Scottish Rite, York Rite, Red Cross of Constantine, Royal Order of Jesters Court 49.
Bill was Chairman of the Board for the National Conference of Community and Justice (The Inclusion Center). For many years, Bill served on the College of Fine Arts Advisory Board for the University of Utah. He also served on the University of Utah Health Science Board. Bill was involved in programing for the University of Utah Osher Classes and during his retirement he enrolled back in school at the University of Utah taking three to four classes a semester. Bill especially enjoyed serving on the board for the Utah Symphony and Utah Opera during their respective combining. He was an Honorary Colonel, an exceptional man and amazing Father.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lula Ruoti, brother George Peters, brother in laws Harry Soteras and Larry Noland and nephew Greg Noland. Bill is survived by his wife Victoria Peters, children: Angela Peters Murphy (Michael) Chicago; Katherine (Katie) Peters; and Thomas W. Peters (Kathy). Five grandchildren: Kiana Webster; Alexandra Murphy; Constantine Kindred; Vasilios Kindred; and Victoria Peters. Brothers and sisters: John T. Peters (Pam); Helen Soteras; Dena Noland; Chick Ruoti; Charlene Peters; and numerous nieces and nephews. God children: Chris Mantas, George Gigounas, Peter Pappas, and Carolynn Daskalakis Bill had amazing friends who stood by him to the very end. Bill's family will always be grateful to Bob Stayner, David Noall, Brent and Susan Cameron and Kenneth Ware for their support and friendship and the William E. Christopherson Veterans Home Staff for their loving care and support during his last years.
A viewing and prayer service will be held in Bill's honor on Wednesday September 21, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Cathedral, 279 South and 300 West, Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends may visit from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services, September 22, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Cathedral, internment immediately following at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Online condolences: www.larkincares.com
Bill lived a long and remarkable life. He had a large presence but was gentle and kind to every person he met. Whether someone was a lifelong friend or stranger, Bill always embraced them with the same kindness, dignity and respect. Although Bill finally succumbed to the effects of Alzheimer's and Lewy Body Dementia, this never changed his gentle and kind demeanor. He was polite and the perfect gentlemen upon his last breath. He was everyone's favorite gentle giant and will be deeply missed.
Donations can be made in Bill's name to the Shriners Hospital for Children, the Greek Orthodox Church Holy Trinity Campus Development Fund or a charity of your choice. In Bill's memory, read a novel and pass it on to someone you love and don't forget to go and enjoy a trip up the mountain.
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." Winston Churchill.
Published in The Salt Lake Tribune from 9/20/2016 - 9/21/2016.