In Loving Memory of

Honourable Mr. Justice William Girgulis

of Edmonton
Dec 10, 2022

On Saturday, December 10, 2022, Bill passed away at the age of 89.

He is survived by his loving wife, Pauline (nee Van Der Haegen); children: Mary Beth (Brad) Klak (children: Megan, William, and Olivia), Karen (Marc) Holtenhoff (children: Hanna, Christian, and Nicholas), Jim (Shannon) (son Jack), and Paul (Anna Lund) (children: Wallace and Ian); sister, Christine (Eli) Bornstein; as well as numerous relatives and friends.

Born in Saskatoon, Bill received his law degree from and played basketball for USask and spent his career practicing law in Edmonton, rising through the ranks to partner at Field Law. He argued before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. In 1981, he was appointed as Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench (now King's) where he sat until his retirement in 2006. During his judicial tenure, he authored three books published by LESA (family, wills and estates and foreclosures), issued a plethora of written decisions covering all areas of law, and is remembered fondly by his colleagues at the court for his generous mentorship of new justices.

Bill was an avid golfer, skier, and wine aficionado who loved travelling to partake in these pleasures. He had a mischievous bent, with a quick quip forever at the ready, but always serious about the law and the written word. His presence will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A Celebration of Bill's Life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 23, 2022, at Foster & McGarvey Funeral Home, 10011 - 114 Street, Edmonton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories, #306, 10430 61 Avenue NW, Edmonton, T6H 2J3 or Pilgrims Hospice Society, 9808 - 148 Street, Edmonton, T5N 3E8.