BILL SULLIVAN

On September 5, 2025, Bill "slipped the surly bonds of Earth" to join his Creator. Born in Trail, BC, on March 2, 1934, he left his beloved family to mourn: his wife, Joanne; sons, Matthew (Sheila) and Mark (Meredith); and grandchildren, Erin, Sarah and Liam. Bill academically wandered through his formative years in Trail. His interests were playing trumpet in the high school band and orchestra, and in his aptly named Blue Goldenaires dance band. Other interests were shooting pool and firearms. Academic wandering continued at Queens, where he played in their marching band in full Scot's Royal Stewart regalia. All changed at Dalhousie Law School, where he fell in love with the logic and beauty of the Law. Awarded a full fellowship to Southern Methodist University he did a Masters in Comparative Law before returning to Canada where he articled with Bull, Housser, Tupper, Ray, Guy and Merritt. Afterwards, he joined what now is Guild Yule LLP, where he remained for the next 60+ years. He never expected much from life and was always astonished at the cornucopia of happiness that flowed over him. How lucky he was to make good friends at every stage of his life from early childhood, through school, university and the practice of Law, and then to marry Joanne, his best ever friend. Bill ventured out from the practice of Law - a Bencher and then a Life Bencher of the Law Society of BC; 11 years a member (sometimes chair) of its Ethics Committee; a tutor for children with reading challenges (as a result, a poster person for United Way); 20 years an Adjunct Professor in the UBC Faculty of Medicine; author/co-author of articles and book chapters on Law and Medical Ethics; member of several hospital Ethics Committees, particularly GF Strong where the Committee made a difference; 25 years on the UBC Clinical Research Ethics Board; and for the sheer fun of it, graduated at age 85 from the University of King's College in Halifax with an MFA in Creative Non-fiction. Thanks to all who supported Bill along his final journey: his various physicians (Drs. Williard Johnston, Victor Huckell, Asim Bashir, Harvey Lui), the Pacific Spirit Community Health Center and his many friends who walked with him and prayed for him. Contributions can be made in Bill's memory to the Vancouver Sun Children's Fund Society/Adopt-a-School Campaign or a Charity of Your Choice.