William Council ’66

William Council ’66 died in Anchorage, Alaska on September 8, 2013 after a valiant struggle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born May 23, 1944 in Raleigh, North Carolina to Charles and Frances Council, and had two siblings: Sonny Council and Janet Council. Bill graduated from Cary High School in 1962, from Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina in 1966, and from the University of North Carolina Law School at Chapel Hill in 1969.He played competitive tennis during all the years he was a student, winning many titles. He moved to New York City and practiced law with Sherman and Sterling (1969-1971), before moving to Fairbanks and becoming an assistant district attorney for the State of Alaska. After two years he became a Public Defender in Ketchikan, where he built a ferro-cement hull sailboat on weekends. In 1975 he moved to Juneau and worked in the Attorney General’s Office doing civil litigation. Bill married Fran Ulmer in 1977, and together they raised two children Amelia (Amy) Council and Louis Ulmer. Between 1980 and 2005, Bill practiced law in his own firm, at various times with Bud Carpeneti, David Crosby, Vance Sanders, and others. He served on a variety of community boards, including the Alaska Judicial Council. Bill was an effective advocate, a talented and competitive tennis player, an expert boatman, an avid reader, a good cook, a supportive husband, loyal brother and a patient and loving father. He is survived by his family and friends who will miss his keen insight, sharp intellect, irreverent humor, remarkable courage, admirable strength and unfailing love.