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BORN
1941
DIED
2018
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William Friedman Obituary
1941 - 2018
William S. Friedman, age 76, passed away at his home in Columbus surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, March 4, 2018. He was born on March 19, 1941 in Springfield, Ohio to the late Norman and Dorothy Friedman. Until the day he died, Bill touched the lives of virtually everyone he met. He was a gifted, family law attorney, recognized in "The Best Lawyers In America" each year since its inception. He also was one of the original Fellows of the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. During his early career, Bill worked with Governor James A. Rhodes, then later founded the William S. Friedman Company, which became Friedman & Mirman Co., L.P.A. In his practice, he was most proud of his accomplishments at mentoring young attorneys, including his son Scott, with whom he then worked for more than 20 years. One of Bill's most remarkable talents was his humor. Outside of the law, he was an amateur actor on stage and television. His larger than life personality brightened any stage—or room—he entered. Bill loved his music, cowboy movies, and dogs. He loved and adored his wife, Cindy, the rest of his family and his many dear friends, who all stood strong by his side during his courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by wife, Cindy Friedman; children, Scott (Kerstin) Friedman, Ariane Friedman, Jason (Jill) Monus and Brett Monus; and grandchildren, Davis, Lena, Miles and Alex Friedman, Jackson and Juliette Monus, Will and Riley Mathews; and his dog, Daisy; as well as numerous cousins and other relatives. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 3 PM at Congregation Tifereth Israel, 1354 East Broad Street. The family will greet guests from 1 pm until the time of the service. A celebration of Bill's life will immediately follow the service at the Columbus Country Club, 4831 E Broad Street. A private burial with family will be held in Dayton, Ohio on Thursday, March 8. Shiva will be observed at the Friedman residence Thursday and Saturday evenings. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bill's honor to the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research institute, the Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital or other charity of choice. Arrangements entrusted to Schoedinger Midtown Chapel.
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Memories and Condolences
for William Friedman
Sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch.
Sandra Spence DeVictoir
February 27, 2025
Bill your memory is always in our heart and. Scott has your wonderful smile and Cindy is as pretty and kind as ever.
Joan Eisenstodt
February 27, 2019
Almost a year, Billy, and the loss still hurts. I write here .. on our family FB page .. to Cindy and Ari and Scott about how much I miss you. I have the folder from my last trip to Columbus next to my side of the bed. Never put it away. I must need the time we had close to me. Rest, Billy. The last year was so awful that you deserve rest but OY do we need you for laughter and love.
Joan Eisenstodt
March 7, 2018
Cousins take privileges others don't. And so I add to this for time's keeping:
Yesterday, cousins Lynn & Gayle (children of Bill's mom's next oldest sibling, Milt) & I talked and cried and laughed at Billy stories. In every family Pesach Seder lives on Billy's imitation of Lynnie [yes we all have diminutive names!] call for the door to be opened for Elijah.
Worst was that I left Scotty off my note. Since this will live for others, I wrote this to him:
I'm sorry. In what I wrote at the obituary site I left you out. So unlike me to be sexist or take you for granted. Perhaps bec I see you as strong and in control - no doubt bec you've had to be with your dear Mom's illness, the Practice, and your Dad's illnesses. How wrong of me it was and how my heart hurts for you. You lost someone who from your birth believed in you, loved you with all of his being, kvelled to all of us of each of your accomplishments. Losing a dad stinks. Having your sweet mom so sick is awful. Managing all you do deserves much more than I gave you and I'm sorry.
Try to take time to grieve. It comes at awful times and for you in the office surrounded by your dad it's gotta be painful.
You carry the best of him in you, Scotty. You are a mensch beyond compare. I love you and my heart hurts for you and your children who adored your dad and were adored by him.
May his memory be forever a blessing, his life an inspiration.
Much love,
Joanie
My mom before me with your dad.
March 7, 2018
Scott and Family,
A good friend, an excellent lawyer, and above all a thoughtful gentleman.
My sympathies from afar.
Stan Katz
Hollywood,FL.
Douglas Noble
March 7, 2018
So sorry to hear about your loss. I remember how the office employees were like family from the office's a 500 S Front St to The Worley Building Bill was happy unless he was on one of his diets.
March 6, 2018
I've been blessed to count Billy as my close friend since the fourth grade.
He was a wonderful, kind and ever-wise presence in my life and I'm eternally grateful to have had him as my dearest friend.
My heart goes out to every one who loved Billy.......
Cindy, Scott and Arianne, you will be in my thoughts forever. With love,
Lorraine Marks
Pat Sweeney
March 6, 2018
Ariane, Scott, Cindy, Alex, and Melanie...I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Bill. I have known Billy for over 40 years and do not remember ever seeing him without a smile on his face and a joke to be told. My heart goes out to all of his family...he loved you with all of his heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Love, Pat Sweeney
Steven Dunham
March 6, 2018
Ariane,
My thoughts are with you and your family. I never had the pleasure of meeting your father, but I can only imagine how amazing of a person he must have been from your stories and the way you talked about him. May peace come to you all.
March 6, 2018
Our condolences. So sorry to Scott, Cindy, and all of Bill's family. You all are in our prayers.
Brad Linville
March 6, 2018
Scott, Cindy and all. So sorry for your loss. Mr. Friedman was a great man and a force of nature. What a legacy he leaves. Peace to you and yours.
stephen pariser
March 5, 2018
Cindy, Scott and all.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Unfortunately, I am away and will not be able to attend the service.
Love to you all.
Stephen Pariser
Pat Hamilton
March 5, 2018
Bill was a source of enormous joy throughout the many years I was honored to know him. Bill's humor always reminded us all not to take ourselves or anything else too seriously.
Sandy Altizer
March 5, 2018
I'm so sorry to learn of Bill's passing. Some of my heartiest laughs were in his presence. He will be sorely missed. My sympathies to his family and friends.
March 5, 2018
Cindy and Scott,
My heart goes out to you and prayers of peace and HUMOR (Billy would want that) to follow you.
Hugs to all the family, Sandra Spence DeVictor
Marty Merz
March 5, 2018
Scott and Family
You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Bill was a wonderful man who could always make me laugh especially when he would take the last chocolate from my candy jar. He will be missed.
Joan(ie) Eisenstodt
March 5, 2018
My sweet cousin, Billy - this wasn't supposed to be - you were to continue living with 'our' cancer much longer or to have been cured of it. You, who survived such an ordeal in childhood, should have lived.
As we discovered late in life, my mother (z"l) was conceived when our grandparents, Simon and Gustie Levinson, thought your dear mom (z"l, all) was not going to live. Mom was to be the replacement child. Thank G-d they both lived and became best friends so we could 'be' and be dearest friends.
Thank you for teaching me the bunnyhop at your bar mitzvah. And for making me get contacts! But about rushing the h.s. sorority.. naw.. only bad idea you ever had.
Thank you for making us all laugh .. even through one-liners via email once you stopped using your computer as a paperweight. Thank you for letting me visit and spend time with you even when you felt so lousy.
Thank you for giving us more cousins to love.
My heart hurts for you, Cindy, and the pain of losing Billy. Each of us who loved him, who has a "Billy story", will keep that in our hearts and heads forever. May your memory, dear cousin Billy, be forever a blessing -- living on in the lives of your children and grandchildren, cousins, colleagues, and friends. I'd like to believe in a heaven where you, your parents and mine and the Count Basie Orchestra will now swing and sway. It's what I have to see in my head and heart to manage this.
I love you.
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