Ann Arbor attorney dies at 88

William James Conlin II

Ann Arbor attorney William (Bill) James Conlin II died Oct. 27 at the age of 88.

Conlin earned his BA in 1953 and JD in 1955 from the University of Michigan; and after graduation, joined the family firm, Conlin, Conlin & Parker (later Conlin, Conlin, McKenney & Philbrick) in Ann Arbor.

He practiced all areas of law but found his personal and professional passion in real estate, moving from student housing to developing shopping centers and multiuse residential projects. An original member of the Ann Arbor Housing Commission, his vision and enthusiasm created some of the city’s most noteworthy buildings and shopping centers.

Very engaged in the Ann Arbor community, Conlin was Chairman of the Board for St. Joseph Mercy Hospital; was instrumental in the creation of the Racquet Club; and in 1968, he and his wife Nan and six other couples co-founded Greenhills School.

He was among a group of Ann Arborites who invested in the first French restaurant in town, La Seine.

With a lifelong love of the performing arts, he was an ardent supporter of the Power Center and the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance.

Conlin is survived by his brothers, L. Thomas and Edward F. Conlin; wife, Nan; children: Elizabeth, Gregory, Jennifer (Daniel Rivkin), Jay (William James III & Sue) and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 23, at St. Mary’s Student Chapel, 331 Thompson St, Ann Arbor. Family visitation will start at 9 a.m. A reception will follow from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Greenhills School, 850 Greenhills Drive, Ann Arbor, MI. 48105. Contributions can be mailed to the Annual Fund for Greenhills School or at www. greenhillsschool.org/give/.