William Leake Terry, who was the ninth attorney to join the firm known today as Friday, Eldredge & Clark, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 25 at the age of 94. Terry joined the firm of Mehaffy, Smith & Williams in 1954 and began a long and distinguished practice in Little Rock with a focus on commercial property transactions and real estate. He worked full time until his retirement in 1988 but kept an office at the firm where he worked of counsel until the age of 92. He was known at the firm for his unwavering support of others and over the years took the time to teach summer clerks and young attorneys about the history and legacy of the firm.
William Leake Terry, who was the ninth attorney to join the firm known today as Friday, Eldredge & Clark, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 25 at the age of 94.
Terry joined the firm of Mehaffy, Smith & Williams in 1954 and began a long and distinguished practice in Little Rock with a focus on commercial property transactions and real estate. He worked full time until his retirement in 1988 but kept an office at the firm where he worked of counsel until the age of 92. He was known at the firm for his unwavering support of others and over the years took the time to teach summer clerks and young attorneys about the history and legacy of the firm.
“All of us at the firm are saddened by the passing of Mr. Terry,” said J. Shepherd Russell III, managing partner of Friday, Eldredge & Clark. “He was a kind and thoughtful gentleman and the staff loved him. He knew how to get along with others and be an effective advocate. I am proud that he was a part of our firm for 60 years.”
Terry was active in the legal community and was a member of the Pulaski County Bar Association (serving as president in 1977-1978), the Arkansas Bar Association and the American Bar Association. In 1993, he was presented the Lawyer-Citizen Award by the Pulaski County Bar Association for recognition of his contribution of both time and talents to the community that bestows honor on both themselves and the legal profession. In 2012, the Pulaski County Bar Foundation honored him as an Ike Scott Fellow which is a peer-driven award recognizing outstanding members of the association who have demonstrated excellence in the practice of law and a commitment to serving the bar.
An active member of his community, Terry worked with various organizations where he often held leadership positions. He worked closely with organizations including Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Arkansas Arts Center, Kiwanis Club, Senior Citizens Activities Today, YWCA, United Way of Pulaski County, City Beautiful Commission, Quapaw Quarter Association, Downtown Little Rock Partnership and MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History to name a few.
Terry’s involvement with local organizations, the firm and the legal community had its impact on many. William A. Waddell, Jr., a partner with Friday, Eldredge & Clark, has known Terry since 1984 and said:
“Mr. Terry’s quiet and humble ways were a strong influence on many of us. We will miss his daily witness of what it means to be a gentleman lawyer, carefully and competently handling matters entrusted to him with complete integrity. His truly was a life well-lived.”
Terry attended Princeton University before joining the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1943 during World War II. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters for his service in the European Theatre with the 8th Air Force, 388th Bomb Group as an aerial gunner on a B-17 “Flying Fortress.” He later graduated from the University of Arkansas with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1948 and Bachelor of Law in 1950.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28 at Ruebel Funeral Home in Little Rock. A memorial service will be held Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on Thursday, Dec. 29 at 10 a.m.