William "Bill" Wertheimer

William Arthur Wertheimer Jr., 78, of Detroit, Michigan passed away on Tuesday, August 12 at Beaumont Hospital after a short illness.

He was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 9, 1947 to William and Marie (Gagne) Wertheimer and was the eldest of six siblings. He graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1965 and went on to Oakland University, followed by Wayne State University law school.

Bill married Barbara Teets on March 13, 1970 and they were married for 52 years. The two met on a blind date arranged by dear friends Bob and Nancy Kinggo, and enjoyed many wonderful years together.

He led a distinguished legal career as a passionate advocate for fairness and workers rights, primarily for the United Auto Workers. He later came to specialize in complex and class action cases on behalf of retirees to protect health insurance benefits. Because of Bill's commitment and hard work, thousands of retirees and their spouses receive health care benefits today and for years to come.

Consistent with his lifetime commitment to worker and civil rights, he volunteered to handle cases for the American Civil Liberties Union. In one notable case, in 2005, he obtained a federal court decision that invalidated a restrictive Dearborn ordinance regulating demonstrations as unconstitutional.

He was a voracious reader throughout his life, and loved to have a thick book in hand. He was also an avid traveler, bicyclist and hiker: Bill traversed Mt Kilimanjaro, the mountains of Nepal, the John Muir Trail, and Spain's Camino de Santiago among his travels. In retirement, he was a dedicated volunteer for adult literacy organizations, soup kitchens, and participated in frequent protests in support of climate change reversal policies.

Remaining to cherish Bill's memory are his wife, Barbara; daughter, Amy Elkins; four grandchildren: Mia, Maggie, William and Elizabeth; and siblings: Jim Wertheimer, Ann Turnquist, Peggy Berry and Tim Wertheimer.

Preceding Bill in death are his son, William Wertheimer III and his brother, Tom Wertheimer.

Family will receive friends Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 2:00 pm until the Blessing and Sharing of Memories at 5:30 pm at A. J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward Ave (btw 13-14 Mile), Royal Oak, 248-549-0500.

A Memorial Reception will follow at the Funeral Home.

Memorial donations in Bill's memory may be directed to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, or the ACLU of Michigan.