William Morris Ravkind

Preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Elyse Friedman Ravkind and his son Brett Ravkind, MD.

Survived by his wife of 14 years Dodi Ravkind; daughter Kathi Sebastion (Don); daughter-in-law Ellen Ravkind; grandchildren Brian Ravkind, Caitlin Ravkind and Cam Wenrich; brother Sidney Ravkind and sister Joan Ravkind Susman; step children Mark Anderson (Janice) and Laurie Anderson Holden (Steve) and their families; brothers-in-law Ari Susman, Jerald Feldman MD and Sonny Friedman (Carolyn); many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Billy graduated from Highland Park High School and attended the University of Texas at Austin earning a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in 1958. While at UT Billy was a member of Silver Spurs, Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity and was President of the Interfraternal Council. Billy served as a 1st lieutenant in the US Army and was honorably discharged in September, 1965. He then attended SMU’s Dedman School of Law where he was the editor of the Law Review and graduated first in his class.

He started his law career as a trial attorney for the tax division of the Department of Justice in Washington, DC under Attorney General Robert Kennedy where within a few months he had achieved the tax division’s best record. He was then assigned to open the Federal Tax Division Office in Dallas.

After leaving the DOJ, Billy began his career as a criminal defense attorney. He leaned toward defense of federal defendants in cases involving narcotics and racketeering and other white collar crime, often in other states. His 1982 representation of Jimmy Chagra in the 1979 murder for hire assassination of Federal District Judge John H. Wood, Jr first brought Billy into the public eye. His quick wit, humor and immense talent kept him there. High profile cases continued throughout his career including representation of Spencer Blain in the I-30 S&L scandal. Other clients of interest include James Bond in Wells vs. DISD in 1983, Don Dixon of Vernon S&L and Dallas city councilman Al Lipscomb. Most recently, Billy was the lead attorney for the upcoming John Wylie Price federal trial but was unable to continue due to his health issues.

Billy was a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Charter member of the Criminal Justice Act, a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Association and Dallas Bar Association, a member of the National Criminal Defense Lawyers and the American Bar Association. He was admitted to practice before numerous federal courts throughout the United States as well as The Supreme Court of the United States. Billy was selected numerous years as a Top Lawyer in Texas and was rated an AV Preeminent Attorney by Martindale Hubbell.

Our family wants to thank Billy’s caregiver, Peggy Rhodes, and the staff at Apple Care and Companion as well as the VITAS Hospice staff and caregivers Barbara, Kim, Connie, Jennifer and Oranzie. A special thank you also to his longtime physician Dr. Ramon Aggarwal

A memorial service will take place on Tuesday, January 31, 2017, 2:30 pm at Temple Emanu-El (8500 Hillcrest Rd) in the Stern Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Diabetes Association or the charity of your choice.