Background
Willis, William Ervin was born on October 11, 1926 in Huntington, West Virginia, United States. Son of Asa Hannon and Mae (Davis) Willis.
Willis, William Ervin was born on October 11, 1926 in Huntington, West Virginia, United States. Son of Asa Hannon and Mae (Davis) Willis.
Student, Indiana University, 1944. Student, New York University, 1945. AB, Marshall University, 1948.
Juris Doctor, Harvard, 1951. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Marshall University, 1997.
Private practice, New York City, since 1951. Partner Sullivan & Cromwell, 1960-1994, senior counsel, since 1994. Lecturer Practising Law Institute, since 1963.
Trustee Federal Bar Council, 1968-1972. Member 2d Circuit Commission on Reduction Burdens and Costs Civil Litigation, 1977-1982. With Army of the United States, 1944-1946.
Member panel arbitrators Public Resources. Trustee Tenafly (New Jersey) Nature Center, 1994—2001, president, 1997—2001. Board directors Society Yeager Scholars, Marshall University, Huntington, 1995—2010, vice president, 2001—2004, president, 2004—2008.
Fellow American College Trial Lawyers, American Bar Foundation. Member American Bar Association (standing committee on federal judiciary 1987-1995, chair 1992-1993, 94-95), New York Bar Association (chairman antitrust section 1976-1977, executive committee 1976-1983), Association Bar City of New York (chairman professional discipline committee 1983-1986, chairman ethics 2000 committee 1999—2003, judicial conduct 2000-2005), Federal Bar Council (trustee 1969-1972), American Judicature Society, American Arbitration Association (panel arbitrators), New York Law Institute, New York County Lawyers, Insurance Judicial Administration, India House.
Married Joyce Litteral, September 1, 1949. Children: Kathryn Cunningham, Anne Dresser, William.