IN Northern District Senior Judge Lee dies at 85
– IN Northern District Senior Judge
– Northern District Senior Judge Lee.
Senior Judge William C. Lee Passes Away: A Legacy of Service and Commitment
Fort Wayne, UK – The legal community mourns the loss of Senior Judge William C. Lee of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. The court announced the sad news on Friday, leaving a void that will be difficult to fill. Judge Lee, aged 85, passed away on January 20, according to the court.
Judge Holly Brady, the Chief Judge of the Indiana Northern District, expressed her deep condolences and highlighted Judge Lee’s unparalleled commitment to the court and the community. With over 42 years of dedicated service, his loss will be deeply felt. Judge Lee’s happiness in contributing to the court was evident every time he spoke about it, and his continued service was greatly appreciated.
Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Judge Lee attended North Side High School and graduated in 1955. He pursued higher education at Yale University, earning his undergraduate degree in 1959. Later, he obtained his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 1962.
In July 1981, Judge Lee became President Ronald Reagan’s first appointee to the federal bench. He served as the chief judge for the Northern District from 1997 to 2003. Before his judicial career, he held the position of U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Indiana from March 1970 to May 1973. Remarkably, he was nominated for this position at the young age of 31. Prior to that, he practiced law in Allen County from September 1962 to March 1970, gaining valuable experience.
Throughout his illustrious career, Judge Lee remained actively involved in providing continuing legal education to practicing lawyers and offering legal services to the indigent. He played a pivotal role in several organizations, including the Benjamin Harrison American Inn of Court and the Indiana Pro Bono Commission, where he served as the chairman at the request of Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard. He also contributed as the president of the Allen County Legal Aid Society and as a board member for the Volunteer Lawyer Program of North East Indiana.
Judge Lee’s dedication extended beyond the legal sphere. He actively participated in community affairs, serving on the board of directors for over 20 different organizations. His love for the arts shone through his involvement with Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne, the Fort Wayne Fine Arts Foundation, the Fort Wayne Civic Theatre, the Fort Wayne Ballet, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. A lover of history, Judge Lee authored several works of local history, including “Reaching Out, The First 150 Years of Trinity English Lutheran Church” and the “History of the Fort Wayne Federal Court.”
Moreover, Judge Lee was a man of faith and an active member of Trinity English Lutheran Church. He spent most of his life as a member of the church choir. Additionally, he had a passion for stage performing and played major roles in various productions, such as “The Mikado,” “The Gondoliers,” and “Hello, Dolly!”
Judge Lee’s contributions to both the legal profession and the community earned him numerous professional honors and awards. He received two lifetime achievement awards, an honorary Doctor of Laws from Huntington College, and the Indiana Trial Judge of the Year, among others.
In honor of Judge Lee’s legacy, flags at federal courthouses throughout the Northern District will be flown at half-staff on January 29-30.
The legal community and the entire Fort Wayne community will deeply miss Judge William C. Lee. His exceptional dedication, commitment, and passion will forever be remembered. May he rest in peace..
1. Northern District Senior Judge Lee obituary
2. IN Northern District Judge Lee’s passing.
