William (Bill) J. Sullivan, K. C.

On September 5, 2025, Bill “slipped the surly bonds of Earth” (From High Flight by John G McGee, Jr., one of Bill’s favourite poems) to join his Creator. Born in Trail, B.C. on March 2, 1934, he left his beloved family: Wife Joanne, sons Matthew (Sheila), Mark (Meredith), and grandchildren Erin, Sarah and Liam, to mourn him.

The following was written by Bill.

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. His two other interests were shooting pool and firearms, including rifle, Sten and Bren. The academic wandering continued at Queens where he played in their marching band in full Scot's Royal Stewart regalia.

The academic wandering all changed at Dalhousie Law School where he fell in love with the logic and beauty of the Law. That love never left him. Awarded a full fellowship to Southern Methodist University he did a Masters in Comparative Law.

Returning to Canada he articled with what was then Bull, Housser, Tupper, Ray, Guy and Merritt and after, joined what now is Guild Yule LLP where he remained for the next 60 plus 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.

When Matthew was young, he and Bill climbed every castle in Wales, tried to count the Rollright Stones and chased the rainbow’s end to find the pot of gold. Matthew, Mark, Joanne, Bill, and later Sheila hiked the Kootenay mountains, had bonfires at the side of the Arrow Lake, water gun fights in the backyard and played hearts and board games with much joy and laughter. Bill loved nothing more than spending time with his grandchildren, especially reading with them and telling them stories that he created about Michael Goldfish.

Thanks to the support of his Joanne, 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 (and sometimes chair) of its Ethics Committee; a tutor for children with reading challenges (and as a result, a poster person for United Way); 20 years an Adjunct Professor in the UBC Faculty of Medicine; author and co-author of articles and book chapters on Law and Medical Ethics; member of several hospital Ethics Committees, particularly at GF Strong where the Committee made a difference; 25 years on the UBC Clinical Research Ethics Board; and for the sheer fun of it, attended and at age 83 graduated from the University of King's College in Halifax with an MFA in Creative Non-fiction. This led to the publication of a book about Trail and a memoire on growing up in Trail during WWII.

He enjoyed his law partners (including the challenging ones) and his clients (recognizing how fortunate he was to act for them).

However, most important of all were his Joanne and his family, and lucky him, he knew that from the start.

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.

Instead of flowers, 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.