The Honourable William Alexander Stevenson, O.C., LL.D. of Edmonton
William Stevenson died on July 7, 2021, leaving a vast Canadian judicial legacy and a void in the hearts of his family and many friends.
There were two main pillars of Bill’s life: his family and the law. He loved both. Described by a colleague as a “juridical lighthouse,” his legal accomplishments are too many to list here, serving on four separate courts and teaching law for more than 30 years. He was also an amazing husband and father with a dry sense of humor and down-to-earth devotion to the important things in life. He was respected and admired everywhere he went.
Born in Edmonton in 1934, Bill rose from humble beginnings, earning every dollar for his education, attending the University of Alberta and receiving the law school’s gold medal in 1957. He was called to the Alberta Bar the following year and practiced until 1975. One of the proudest moments of his impressive career came in 1959 as junior counsel to friend and future partner, Bill Morrow, when they argued the last Canadian appeal before the British Privy Council in London. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Alberta in 1992 and the Order of Canada in 1996.
Bill became a judge in 1975 when he was appointed to the Alberta District Court. He joined the Court of Queen’s Bench in 1979, the Alberta Court of Appeal in 1980, and the Supreme Court of Canada in 1990. His career was cut short by health issues just two years later.
Always very humble and understated, Bill loved education. A voracious reader and lifelong admirer of Winston Churchill, he ensured that all his children received a university education. He was the first Director of Bar Admission in Alberta and founding Chairman of the Legal Education Society of Alberta. He was involved with the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice, which along with the newly created National Judicial Institute, became responsible for designing and delivering education courses for new judges in Canada. He was a mentor to generations of students and lawyers. Even long into retirement, he took great enjoyment in having coffee with articling law students and regular meetings with the Legal Circle and his Tuesday coffee club.
When not being Justice Stevenson, he was dad. Happy to work away at the lake cabin, take his family on summer holidays, or simply clean the garage. Before heading to the courthouse in the morning, he would make brown bag lunches for school. There was nothing that he wouldn’t do for his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Patricia and his children Cathy, Kevin, Vivian and James, including embracing all manner of small, mercurial dogs along the way. Except maybe go swimming. Bill was never particularly fond of water.
Along with Patricia; his kids and their spouses, Marty, Lisa and Leslie, Grandpa Bill loved and was much loved by his grandchildren; Declan, Sarah, Owen and Elliot.
With his health waning in the last two decades, friends saw less of Bill. Yet he fought on, demonstrating a tenacity that few could match. In his typical modest style, Bill requested there be no funeral service. After sufficient time for mourning and to get everyone fully vaccinated, there will be a reception to laugh, cry, tell stories and reflect on what an amazing life Bill led.
A special thanks to all the wonderful staff at Benevolence Care Centre for caring so much for ‘Judge.’ Memorial donations may be made to the Stevenson WA Law Review Endowment at the University of Alberta: ualberta.alumniq.com/giving/to/law
Bruce Kleinknecht says
To Patricia Stevenson
To Kathy, Kevin and Lisa, Vivian and Marty, James and Leslie
To Declan and Sarah, Owen and Elliot
May the loss of a husband, a father, a grandfather, open a wider path of love and strength as you travel the journey of life.
Love and Peace,
Bruce Kleinknecht
Lee Ahlstrom says
Justice Stevenson was a remarkable jurist who was already to give friendly advice to younger lawyers. He will be missed, and I am proud to have known him.
Carola Heavyside (Sandberg) says
Hello Stevensons.
I’m very sorry to hear of your loss! I have very fond memories of much time spent at your house, always feeling welcome in the kindness of both Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson, hanging out for hours in Vivian’s room.
I wish you as much ease and peace at this time as possible.
Thinking of you all!!
Yours,
Carola
Darlene Bartman says
Patricia, so many years have passed but never forgot your wonderful family and a teacher who was so good with the hearing impaired classes at Fulton Place. My condolences go out to all the family at this trying time. Many will remember a brilliant, decent man going to Ottawa and having his career cut short with illness. He leaves a wonderful legacy and memories for all his family.
Ross Risvold says
Dear Vivian,
I’m very sorry to read about your father’s passing. I know how you admired him as a father and his accomplishments. Please know I thinking of you and offer you and your family my condolences.
Kasim Abubakar says
I am so sorry for the passing away of your father.i can’t find a word to describe how sweet he was and I know how much you love him and I hope God will give you peace to cope with the lost of your Dad
Lloyd Malin says
I will always remember Justice Stevenson as Professor Stevenson even though I had the opportunity to engage him as counsel and serve on three significant pieces of litigation as his second counsel. He was my professor for five courses I took in law school and his classes were simply the best of the entire curriculum. I know from conversations will fellow classmates – Class of 1970- that I was not alone in my appreciation of, and respect for, him. His enthusiasm for the law was infectious and his encouragement of young lawyers furthered many a career. We have lost a truly accomplished jurist but as significantly, a truly remarkable man . My sincerest condolences to his family.
Iris Chodan says
I was a friend of Tricia and Bill before I went to live in three other parts of Alberta. My memories of Bill are all very good. He was a clever, funny and very kind man. My condolences and best
wishes to Tricia and their family.
Alice Kulak says
My husband Geoff and I and our two girls, Alison and Jennifer lived next door to the Stevenson family for twenty years. Our children played together and Geoff and I enjoyed being at parties at their home many times. Bill and Patricia were gracious hosts and the parties were lively, informal, fun affairs.
As well, we could see what a bonded family they were. Bill was a devoted father and husband, and if I remember correctly Bill would sometimes bring morning tea to Patricia while she was still in bed!
I do hope it’s a true memory as it captures so well an act of devotion on Bill’ part, Anyway they were wonderful people to have as friends and neighbours.
We did pick up gleanings from conversations we had with others that Bill was an outstanding lawyer who was much respected within the legal community, but modesty was another of Bill’s traits, and he wore his many accomplishments naturally and unassumingly.
We were truly thrilled when Bill was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada and although contact dwindled somewhat over the years we have many fond memories to hold onto as we mourn Bill’s passing, and as we salute a life well lived.
Our condolences to Cathy, Kevin, Vivian and James and to Patricia.
We will hope to see you at the gathering which will be held later this year to honour Bill.
Affectionately, Alice (KulaK)
Tim Hurlburt says
Bill was, and always will be, the model for what is the very best in the profession and on the bench. The highest embodiment of integrity, knowledge, practicality and humour.
Teresa and David Graham says
To the family of the ‘Judge’. We always loved to see William and visit with him in Benevolence. He asked what language we were speaking …. Polish……he then told us many stories of his Polish clients and how he really enjoyed the immigrants in Edmonton. He told us how very smart his children were. Mom had very short hair and William always asked us if she was our father. Would be surprised when I told him she was a woman…always brought us a laugh. We deeply respected William. He was warm and welcoming. It is always sad when old age and ill health debilitates the body. Rest easy William.
Condolences to the family
Hannah Schmakeit, Case Littlewood, and the rest of the Alberta Law Review Team says
All of us at the Alberta Law Review are saddened by the passing of Justice William Stevenson. Justice Stevenson was a strong supporter and source of direction for all of us. He was always incredibly kind and graceful with young lawyers and law students. We are honoured to be part of his legacy, and he will be missed.
Lisa Morrison says
Kevin and Vivian,
Sorry to read of your father’s passing. I know what a tremendous influence he was to you both, and you can take solace in knowing his spirit continues on through you both, through an ease of friendships, and an abundance of intelligence, and wit.
Thinking of your family.
Robert Chaffee says
On behalf of the Winston Churchill Society, I offer heartfelt condolences to Justice Stevenson’s family. Justice Stevenson was a past president of our society, and remains in respected memory. We are grateful for his service to our community and nation, and to our Churchill Society. We wish you all well.
Sincerely,
Robert Chaffee
Executive Secretary
the Rt. Hon. Sir Winston Spencer Churchill Society