About William H. Eastburn III
It is with deepest sadness and regret that we announce the passing of senior and managing partner William H. Eastburn, III on March 7, 2008.
Bill’s legal career began at Eastburn and Gray in 1959. Although the firm was a small, general practice firm at the time, Bill soon developed a specialty in land use and real estate. As his practice grew, he mentored younger attorneys and turned over much of the work to them. Over the years, Bill continued this pattern of developing a new expertise, drawing an additional client base, and training associates to follow in his footsteps. Those same associates are now the leaders of the firm. Bill nevertheless remained loyal to and actively working with many long term clients, with whom he shared almost 50 years of history and memories. His outstanding skills as a lawyer, leader, manager and mentor were singularly responsible for Eastburn and Gray’s reputation as an outstanding law firm of specialists in the areas of land use and real estate, domestic relations, environmental law, and banking and commercial transactions.
Bill was long involved in a broad range of humanitarian causes, founding a number of non-profit organizations that continue to provide specific help to those in need. Most notable among them, "Today" is an inpatient drug treatment program specifically directed to adolescents. It was established in 1971, when teen drug treatment was in its infancy. Americans for Native Americans (ANA) is an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of Native Americans by providing essential goods and programs that foster self-reliance and mutual understanding. The Katrina Relief Project is an on-going disaster relief project which has adopted the neighboring communities of Waveland and Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to help rebuild that devastated area. Bill’s high energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to serving others inspired a host of friends, colleagues and community leaders to turn his ideas into realities.
He will be deeply missed.
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