Judge William Sutherland passes away at 85

Former Judge William J. Sutherland, who retired in January 2015 as Michigan's longest-serving jurist, has passed away. He was 85.

"Judge Sutherland dedicated his career to public service and the people of the City of Taylor," the court posted in an announcement today (Monday, July 28). "He has the distinction of being the longest serving judge in Michigan … Following his retirement, he continued to serve as a visiting judge at the 23rd District Court until earlier this year. In total, Judge Sutherland served his community for 55 years."

The 23rd District Court was named the "Anthony Nicita and William Sutherland Courthouse" to honor the legacy of Taylor's first judges.

"We send our thoughts to Judge Sutherland's family in their time of loss and will continue his good work at the 23rd District Court," the court statement continued.

Judge Sutherland received his undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.Before he joined the 23^rd District Court, Judge Sutherland served as a municipal court judge from 1968 to 1980.

Judge Sutherland was first elected in 1968 during the City of Taylor's first election. "Time flies, it is unbelievable, I remember getting sworn in," he told The News-Herald Newspapers in a story published in 2014.

Sutherland was elected to the Charter Commission that drafted the original City Charter. It was there that he and former Judge Anthony Nicita met. It was Judge Nicita who planted the idea that Sutherland should run for election.

Judge Sutherland also told the newspaper that one of the most gratifying parts of his job came when he met someone outside the courtroom whom had first appeared before him during a judicial hearing. Sometimes those people heeded his warnings and changed their life for the positive as a result, he noted.

"They will say, 'Judge, I remember you told me that I should come back with my toothbrush next time,'" Sutherland said. "Sometimes someone won't listen to their family, but they will listen to me. Not that someone else can't do it, but it's gratifying to see someone ending up on the right track …

"I can do something as a judge most people can't do," he said. "I can affect more people in a week than some do in their life. You can lead a horse to water and I can get them to drink and continue drinking."

In 1980, he was elected by his fellow judges as president of the Municipal Judges Association and president of the Wayne County District Judges. The District Judges of Michigan elected him to represent them on the State Judicial Council. The Michigan Supreme Court appointed Judge Sutherland to serve in Detroit Recorders Court before he became a full-time District Court judge.

Arrangements are still pending. We will update this story when more information becomes available.

(The picture of Chief Judge Victoria Shackelford with Judge Sutherland was taken during Law Day celebrations in 2023.)