William (Bill) A. Denney joined our firm in 2002, after 25 years as a successful partner in the Morrison Hecker law firm. He said the firm had become too big and he didn’t even know some of his partners. Of course we jumped at the chance to welcome someone as talented and accomplished as Bill into our little operation. He has since repeatedly justified the wisdom of our decision and helped us become the Biggest Little Law Firm® In Kansas City, and we will miss his sagacity, humor and talent when he retires Jan. 1, 2014.
When asked what he intended to do after he is no longer coming into the office every day he replied with his trademark brevity, “Fish.” When asked what else he added, “That’s it, fish, and maybe read.”
In an effort to divine more intelligence on Bill’s early career in the law, we asked Dick Lyons, who clerked for our firm before clerking for a federal judge and becoming the Senior Partner at the Lyons, Gaddis firm in Longmont, Colo., for his recollections. Dick still fondly remembers Bill. “In the fall of 1974, there were several of us enrolled in UMKC School of Law who had been officers and gentlemen in service to our country. After a couple of weeks visiting Mike’s Bar after classes, most of us lost our military bearing and reverted to our pre-military civilian demeanor, except for Bill. Since he was starched so ramrod straight at the Air Force Academy, it took Bill a whole semester to loosen up. Once that occurred, we had a lot more fun in Contracts and Torts and at our fraternity parties.”
Thankfully, Bill was very laid back when he came to us. We will miss him. Farewell, Oh Captain!
