Hon. Justice William Arthur Tilleman II, K.C. (Ret'd)

The Honourable Justice William Arthur Tilleman II, King's Counsel (Ret'd) "Bill", beloved husband and eternal companion of Sandra Elaine (née Heninger) Tilleman, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday March 22, 2025 at the age of 69 surrounded by family. Born in Ogden, Utah to William Arthur Tilleman and Jean Duke Tilleman, Bill was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and developed a deep relationship with and devotion to God and his family. He spent most of his free time hunting with his father in Utah. He loved playing card games with his brothers and grandparents after long days of hard work on his grandfather’s ranch in the summers in Northeastern Montana. Bill’s adopted ethos was to ‘work hard’ and ‘play hard’. He would come to apply it to every aspect of his life including his family, religion and career. Bill was deeply committed to his family and found peace and God in the great outdoors.

As a young man, he served a two-year mission for his church where he was assigned to both Minnesota and Brazil from 1974 to 1976. He returned home to his family in Calgary, Alberta, Canada where he met the love of his life, Sandra, on the city bus. They were married in 1981 and together raised their four children and enjoyed travelling together as a family, with trips all over the United States and Hawaii, and to Mexico, Europe and Asia. He taught each of them how to solve problems and how to fix just about anything. Bill loved the youth of the church and was able to connect with them on their level. Interacting with the youth (e.g. playing basketball and making 7-Eleven stops for slurpees) was the highlight of his service as Bishop for the church from 1999 to 2004. He strived to instill good morals and ethics as father and Bishop and often worked side by side with his children and the youth. Nothing was more important to Bill than his wife and children. He loved to hear about their passions and share in their lives.

Bill’s academic achievements spans decades and across Canada and the United States. After completing his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary in 1981, he graduated with four law degrees, earning a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in 1984 from the University of Alberta, Juris Doctor (JD) in 1986 from Brigham Young University, and a Master of Laws (LLM) in 1989 and Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD) in 1996 from Columbia University. After twenty years of educational pursuits, he returned with his family to settle in Calgary, Canada where he developed his own legal practice in Environmental Law with the direct help of Sandra and their children in their home office. He participated in environmental cases throughout Canada, chaired countless government boards and federal environmental tribunals, and taught at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Law. To conclude his legal career, Bill served twelve years as a justice on the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta (now King’s Bench) from 2009 to 2021. He adjudicated in courthouses across the province and successfully combined his love of nature with his duties by specifically requesting trials in Northern Alberta. He spent a great deal of time perfecting the art of Judicial Dispute Resolution and mediation, which is what he enjoyed most about the law. After retiring from the Bench in 2020 he reverted to the place he felt most comfortable and taught mediation for a brief period at Harvard Law School. Bill was passionate about educating students and passing on his wisdom to the next generation. He authored several books on mediation and environmental law with colleagues he called friends. His ‘work hard’ / ‘play hard’ approach to life meant that retirement would bring him back to the practice of law. He would continue advising clients and conducting complex mediation until the very end.

To break away from his professional pursuits, Bill escaped to the wilderness, mountains and wheat fields, always returning to his roots. He loved spending time at his ranch in Zurich, Montana with his family, and especially his wife, four children, and thirteen grandchildren. In the near seven decades on this earth, he traveled at least 300,000 miles back and forth from home (Utah, Wisconsin and Canada) to Montana. He developed his skills in home renovation and farming; admired (and protected) the pheasants, deer and robins; hunted the blackbirds, raccoons and coyotes; and simply spent time next to the fire reading and writing, listening to and watching the trains pass by, watching tv, and playing cards, all with his family nearby. In his last few years he spent a great deal of time taking care of his 95-year-old mother whom he loved dearly. He was a friend to all and will be greatly missed.

Bill is survived by his wife of 44 years, Sandra, of Springbank; children, Stephanie (Jamie) Caldwell of Calgary, Alberta, William Arthur Tilleman III of Las Vegas, Nevada, Christinia (Kent) Greep of Calgary, Alberta, Brandeis “Benn” (Amy) Tilleman of Washington, D.C.; grandchildren, Elisabeth, Rosalie and Oliver Caldwell, Isaac, Heidi, William IV, Thomas and Portia Tilleman, Bronsen, Laila, Cohan and Samuel Greep, and Chloe Tilleman; mother, Jean Tilleman of Cardston, Alberta; siblings, Cherie (Dave) Glenn of Draper, Utah, Sharon Herbst of Macomb, Illinois, John (Kay) Tilleman of Lethbridge, Alberta, and Karl (Holly) Tilleman of Phoenix, Arizona; and many extended family, friends and colleagues. He was predeceased by his father, William Arthur Tilleman, and his brother, Brian Arthur Tilleman.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Stake Centre (2021 - 17 Avenue SW, Calgary) on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. with a Graveside Service to follow.

If you are unable to attend the service in person, you may join the livestream at the following link https://zoom.us/j/92695992545