Judge William Hall LALLY

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William LALLY Obituary

LALLY, Judge William Hall
A retired Superior Court Judge and longtime Sacramento resident passed away on September 10 at the age of 91, lovingly attended to by his wife Gloria Abben Lally and her grandson Garrett Deane Abben. He is survived by his son John Robert Lally. As a graduate of the University of California Berkeley Boalt Hall, Bill was admitted to the California State Bar in 1949 and went on to become an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Special Assistant to the California Attorney General. In private practice for more than three decades, Bill served as President of the California Trial Lawyers Association, President of the Sacramento County Bar Association, and as a Member of the Board of Governors for the State Bar of California. In 1975, he was appointed by Governor Edmund G. ''Jerry'' Brown Jr. to serve on the Sacramento Superior Court bench, where he served for 15 years. Bill was a proud member of the United States Armed Forces serving in the Pacific during World War II as a Boatswains Mate First Class, and later as a Second Lieutenant in the California National Guard during the Korean War. Bill had a lifelong love of music and was an accomplished saxophonist and clarinetist, having played in numerous bands since the age of sixteen. He was active in the Sacramento Water Ski Club and was an avid equestrian. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Anne Lally and his brother Jack Lally, who died heroically in World War II during The Battle of the Bulge. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from Noon until 4pm at W.F. Gormley and Sons and friends are welcome to attend a Celebration of Life on Thursday, September 16 at 10:30 a.m. at W.F. Gormley & Sons, 2015 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA. In lieu of flowers remembrances in Bill's name may be made to McGeorge School of Law, McGeorge Fund Sacramento, CA.

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Published by The Sacramento Bee from Sep. 14 to Sep. 15, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for William LALLY

9 Entries

Teresa Calvert-McOwen

January 23, 2018

I am saddened to see this. Blessings to his family. Im sure Mama had a BIG hug for him when he arrived Home...

Patty Selenski-Waugh

September 17, 2010

I played Clarinet in several community bands with Bill since I moved to Sacramento in 2003. I absolutely love Bill. He is just one of the nicest and coolest old band guys around. I will really miss him! My sympathies go out to Gloria and the other members of Bill's family!

~Patty Selenski-Waugh

Leora Matranga

September 15, 2010

Dear Gloria,
Johnnie and I are saddened to hear of Bill's passing. We were so happy that you two got together. He was one of the early leaders, president in 1957, of the Sacramento Water Ski Club and we all benefitted from his leadership. He was always so generous in assisting us in legal matters. Those were such fun times - happy memories.

Leora and Johnnie Matranga

Kim Siegfried

September 15, 2010

Gloria and Bob:

My husband and I, too, played in community bands with Bill and will always remember him with great fondness. I'm sure Bill will be on the bandstand when we all meet up with him again.

My sincere sympathy to your family. May your memories sustain you and give you strength during this difficult time.

Bianca Patterson

September 14, 2010

I remember Bill well. We played in community bands together as clarinetists, and always had a good time. Sometimes he would switch to baritone sax, but no matter what he played, he always had this light about him, even if he was feeling a little run down.
I remember exchanging service stories, though mine could never compare. And I remember exchanging musical stories about our crazy gigs and the like. He was a great character, and a great inspiration for me. He definitely encouraged me to apply to Berkeley instead of my other choices, but also encouraged me to keep the path I've chosen. He's a part of my success. So Bill, my next two recitals go out to you! Thank you.

Mary Simmons

September 14, 2010

As a Deputy District Attorney, I had several felony trials and many court appearances in Judge Lally's Court. My husband, an Assistant Public Defender, also had several trials of his own in Judge Lally's court. Judge Lally's respect for the Justice System was unparalleled. His foremost concern was to ensure that all parties received a fair trial in his court. I fondly remember (as any attorney who appeared in his court will recall) whenever a witness was administered the oath before testifying, everyone in the courtroom was required to drop any pens or pencils and to cease shuffling any papers, and was required to intently listen to the administration of the oath. To Judge Lally, the giving of testimony in his courtroom was a solemn matter that demanded respect. Judge Lally was a consummate gentleman and if you were assigned to trial in his court, regardless of what "side" you were on, you were assured you would get a fair trial. The justice system needs men of his ethics and integrity. My husband Roy and I wish to express our sincere condolences to his family for their loss.

Alex Berg

September 14, 2010

I remember Judge Lally after his retirement from the bench when he and his son practiced law above our office at 12th and H Streets. He was always very supportive of our organization's ADR and mediation work. He was also very proud of his lovely white Jaguar automobile, and we talked 'car talk' regularly. He was 'good people'.

KARYN NONU

September 14, 2010

Gloria,

I was so saddened to hear of Judge Lally's passing when you called me today. You two were a burst of sunshine when you came into the office. My love and prayers are with you and your family at this time.

Karyn Nonu
(Dr. G's office)

September 14, 2010

Bill was a good & well respected Judge. As a young lawyer in the early 60's I more than once had Bill give me a hand on a knotty issue or two which had me perplexed. God Bless the family. I share your loss. Tom Lytle

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