The Honorable Judge William E. Bolle

The Honorable Judge William E. Bolle

- - Bill was born on March 1, 1939 in Menomonie, Michigan. His family moved to Detroit in 1941, and then to Birmingham in 1951. He graduated from Birmingham High School in 1956. Following high school, he attended the University of Michigan, receiving a B.B.A. in 1960. He transferred to the University of Wisconsin and received his J.D. degree in 1963. While in law school, he played hockey for the Madison Cardinals, a semi-pro team who was Wisconsin's State Champions for the 1961-1962 season. He served as the Troy Municipal Judge until 1978 when the legislature converted the Municipal Court to the 52nd District Court. The legislature appointed Judge Bristol Hunter of Clawson, Judge Jim Hand of Troy and Bill to be the initial judges of the new 52nd District Court, Fourth Division. He was elected 6 times and was appointed Chief Judge of the 52nd District Court several times. At the time of his retirement after 45 years, he was the longest-seated judge in Oakland County and 3rd longest in the State of Michigan. He was considered by his peers to be one of the finest and foremost jurists of the "old school." As a jurist, Judge Bolle was both thoughtful and instinctual. He was able to survey the entire field of battle, maintaining fairness while rewarding candor and hard work. Aside from the law profession, he had a keen interest in all sports and a passion for music, playing professional bass in the area during his life. Bill and his wife Sally direct the Greater Detroit Jazz Society, a jazz organization that promotes musical events and sponsors various concert series in the metropolitan Detroit area. Bill loved playing and loved promoting local bands and musicians. He was also an avid gardener, and a lover of animals and wildlife. The family wishes to acknowledge the gifted surgical hands of Dr. Adam Lackey, Oncologist Dr. George Howard, and the fine physician assistants and nursing staff at Beaumont Hospital. Bill was a 4-1/2 year mesothelioma survivor thanks to the outstanding medical treatment he received through Beaumont. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Sally, daughters Meghan Whitfield Wilcox and Molly Guzman, grandson Kendrick, granddaughter Elizabeth Mae, brother-in-law Doug Scott, niece Laura Scott, honorary son Joshua West, and many loving family members and friends. Bill was a humble, quiet, brilliant man with a wicked sense of humor who adored and cherished his friends and family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Michigan Jazz Festival, www.MichiganJazzFestival.org Christ Church Cranbrook Bill Bolle Music Memorial Fund: https://onrealm.org/ChristChurchCranbrook/give/memorial ReJoyceful Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 46354, Mt. Clemens, MI 48046. https://www.rejoycefulrescue.com, Venmo: ARARDetroit, PayPal: arejoycefulrescue@hahoo.com Funeral arrangements are by A.J. Desmond & Sons - Crooks, 2600 Crooks Road, Troy, MI 48084. Visitation: Monday, July 5, 2021 4-7 p.m., Funeral Service: Tuesday, July 6, 11 a.m., Christ Church Cranbrook, 470 Church Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. Visitation 9:30-10:30 a.m., social time 10:30 a.m., service at 11 a.m. Please read the full obituary online at: https://www.desmondfuneralhome.com/obituaries/The-Honorable-Judge-William-Earl-Bolle?obId=21384071#/obituaryInfo The funeral service on Tuesday will be livestreamed for those unable to attend. To watch online: www.cccathome.org

View obituary and sign tribute wall at

AJDesmond.com