William N. Kritselis

East Lansing

Prominent local attorney, died early Friday morning, Dec. 2 at Sparrow Hospital with his loving wife of 48 years, Elaine, and his devoted son Nicholas at his bedside. Bill was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1962, 49 years ago. He began his career as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Ingham County and became Chief of the Criminal Division there. He entered private practice in 1965 and built his practice around representing injured plaintiffs. He was named “Outstanding Attorney of the Year” by the Ingham County Bar and was named “Most Respected Advocate” in the state by the Michigan Defense Bar in 2006. He was listed in Best Lawyers in America for over 20 years and for several years was voted a Michigan Super Lawyer by his peers.

Bill was born in Sault Ste. Marie, MI on April 5, 1931, the son of the late Nicholas and Theodora Kritselis. He served in the U. S. Navy for four years, then went on to get a degree in Economics from Michigan State University and a juris doctorate from Ohio Northern University.

Bill is survived by his wife Elaine and son Nicholas (Niko); a sister, Harriet Rennie of Traverse City; nephews Christopher (Jennifer) Rennie of Portland, OR and Charles (Shannon) Rennie of Traverse City; grand nephews John Owen Rennie of Traverse City and Alexander John Rennie of Portland, OR.

He was a distinguished member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Ingham County Bar Association, the Michigan Association for Justice, the American Association for Justice, the Federal Bar Association; was a past president of the Young Lawyers of Ingham County; was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity and the Bench and Bar. He was admitted to the U.S. District Court, Western and Eastern Districts of Michigan and the U.S. Supreme Court.

He had the highest possible AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, was a Founder of Lawyers for Public Justice, and a Fellow in the Roscoe Pound Foundation. He was a professional lecturer on the subjects of medical malpractice, personal injury, product liability, highway defects, and jury selection traveling around the country. He also served for many years on the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Committee and the State Bar of Michigan Medical Legal Committee.

He was a long-time member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, serving on the board of trustees for over 40 years and as president in 1977. While he was in good health, you would find Bill, Elaine and Niko at Michigan State University football, basketball and hockey games cheering on the Green and White.

He waged a brave battle against Myelodisplastic Syndrome. A funeral service will be held Monday, Dec. 5 at 11:00 am at Holy Trinity. The family will receive friends Sunday, Dec. 4th from 6 – 8 with a Trisagion at 7:30 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1701 East Saginaw Street, Lansing 48912. On-line condolences may be made at www.greastlansing.com

Arrangements under the direction of Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing, MI.