RECENT UPDATE
Bill’s cancer has proven to be more aggressive than anyone originally hoped. He is home and resting comfortably. The family is overwhelmed with gifts of love, food, and flowers, which are all greatly appreciated. At this time, and in order to honor Justice McAnulty’s life-long service to the community, we would like to request that all future gifts be in the form of donations to the following entities:
1. The Justice William E. McAnulty, Jr. Scholarship Fund – U of L Brandeis School of Law, U of L Foundation, University of Louisville, Louisville, Ky. 40292.
2. Hospice Of Louisville — P.O Box 35425, Louisville, Ky. 40232-9892.
3. Highland Presbyterian Church – 1011 Cherokee Road, Louisville, Ky. 40204.
August 21st, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Kristi: Linda and I are so saddened by Mac’s state of health. Our prayers are with you and the kids. Needless to say…if there is ANYTHING that we can do……
August 21st, 2007 at 3:06 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with you Judge Mac and also with your family. Stay strong. I love all of you and there isn’t a minute in the day where my thoughts aren’t with you.
Lots of love,
Cori (Wendy’s sister)
August 21st, 2007 at 3:11 pm
My heart and thoughts and prayers are with you all. I’ve loved serving on the Learning Matters Board with you and learned some much from you about dignity, a gentle hand and an iron fist. You are so special. May peace be with you and your family.
August 21st, 2007 at 4:25 pm
While I do not know Judge McAnulty personally, I have followedd his career for years. There are few people in this community for whom I have more respect. He has made a tremendous difference in the lives of the people of Kentucky and you will remain in my family’s prayers.
August 21st, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Justice McAnulty you have been an inspiriation to countless African American males such as myself and I just want to say thank you. I am praying for you and your family and I believe that the God we serve is still a healer. Be encouraged and be blessed!!!
August 21st, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Our family continues to keep your family and dear Justice McAnulty in our thoughts and prayers. Timothy has been concerned about Will and has missed him at school. Please know that we are here for you all and a phone call away. May God continue to surround you all with his love.
Kym Haick
August 21st, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Judge Mac — I don’t know what to say. You gave me a chance to become a lawyer when I didn’t think anyone else would, then you taught me what being a lawyer really means. You are one of the most honorable people I’ve had the luck to meet, and I have an endless reservoir of respect for you as a person and a jurist. I’ll never forget the first thing I wrote for you — you were so kind and supportive, even though I had completely missed the mark. And somehow, you made me feel really good about being 100% wrong! You are a wonderful person and I am praying for you and your beautiful family.
August 21st, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Justice McAnulty…My family and all of Patrick and Katheryn’s friends are praying daily for your well being. If there is anything any one of us can do, please give word. God Bless.
August 21st, 2007 at 8:55 pm
May the peace of the Lord be with you. I enjoyed working with you on the Hueser Hearing board. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
August 21st, 2007 at 9:52 pm
Kristi - You and Judge Mac continue to remain in my prayers. I know how relentlessly you guys are battling. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do for you guys. All the best - Andrew
August 22nd, 2007 at 7:26 am
Judge,
My family’s thoughts and prayers are with you. Your wisdom helped bring happiness to our family beyond measure. You may or may not know that Sara now has a new baby sister, Savannah Michelle, born 14 August! We’re thinking of you.
Alan & Eva Slusher
August 22nd, 2007 at 7:33 am
Thinking about you a lot; prayers, too. Words really escape me right now. — Jim
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:10 am
Justice McAnulty,
I wanted to add my voice to the chorus wishing you well and praising your intellect, humor and humility. I think of you often and particularly when at a field hockey game or reading updates from the appeals courts. KCD field hockey games can’t feel entirely complete without you on the sidelines!
Thank you for all the kindness and insight you’ve brought to my life simply by affording me the opportunity to watch a person so gifted and so able to use those gifts positively and humbly.
Wishing you and your family peace and comfort,
Joanne
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:14 am
Not only was I blessed to have you as my mentor, you have also served as a second father to me. You lifted my spirits when I was down, placed an unbelievable amount of faith in my abilities, and made me laugh when I took life too seriously. My favorite memories are sitting next to you on the bench and just watching you work. I learned so much from you and a day does not pass that I do not use your words of wisdom in practice. I was privileged to work with you and call you my friend.
Thank you so much for coming to my wedding this year. You will never know how much it meant to me. Your gift is one of the few that survived our fire and it means even more to me now. More importantly: I was looking through my bookshelf at work and was overwhelmed with emotion when I found my journal from my clerkship. The “Doogie Howser” journal also survived! I know that my constant typing was a source of laughter for everyone but I still turn to its pages for guidance. What great memories!
My thoughts and prayers are with you. If I can help you or your family in any way, please let me know.
With love,
Connie
August 22nd, 2007 at 11:00 am
Kristi, Will, Shannon, Patrick and Kate,
Pat and I are with you every step of the way in thought and prayer. What love and strength Bill is surrounded by.
Peace to each of you.
Karen
August 22nd, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Judge, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Irv thinks the world of you and talks about you often. You are highly respected and loved far more than you know. God be with you and your family during this sad time.
Peggy Maze
August 22nd, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Justice McAnulty,
You are a very special person in our lives. It has been almost 13 years since you came to our home in LaGrange and performed our wedding ceremony. You had to hurry home because the birth of your child was imminent. We really appreciated you coming to us under the circumstances! Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Gary and Lynn
August 22nd, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Bill and Kristi, Will, Kate, Pat and Shannon:
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you. We know there is a whole lot of love and support for each other in your home right now, and we wish you peace and comfort. We are so blessed, thankful and proud of knowing you as our friends. We love you and your beautiful family.
Dustin, Marc, John, Peter and Jay
August 22nd, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Dear Judge -
You are in our hearts and thoughts and most definitely our prayers.
My folks (the Priebes) are in Tennessee right now visiting my uncle who just had surgery. They’ll be back in Louisville by Friday and I’ll let them know about your website.
I still laugh when I think of one time I ran into you when I was with my mother. She and Victor had just moved back to Louisville from Woodford County and you casually asked her how she had liked living in “Ver-SIGH.” (I guess you had to be there…either that, or it doesn’t take much to entertain me…)
I pray for strength and smiles and hope and love to find their way to you and your precious family daily.
Sincerely, Angie Schulte
August 22nd, 2007 at 10:46 pm
Kristi - I am praying for you and Bill, Patrick, Kate, Will and Shannon each and every day. Please know that if I can help you in any way, I am just a phone call away. Emma would love to play with Shannon. God bless you all.
Travis Johnson
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:45 am
Bill, we apologize for not contacting you earlier, but we’ve been traveling and were unaware of what’s happened until I saw the news item in the CJ yesterday. We send our very best regards and are praying for your speedy and complete recovery. I well remember, when I was an assistant county attorney, appearing before you when you were a juvenile court judge in that old building next to the Jefferson County courthouse. You were just beginning your judicial career. I really enjoyed being in your courtroom. Your temperament, sense of fairness and knowledge of the law was impressive even then, and what you have achieved since is historic. God bless you and your family.
We’re sending a donation in your honor to the U of L law school.
Affectionately,
Jack and Kate
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:46 am
Kristi-tell bill i said that i love you both,and will continue to pray for yoy!!!!!
My God continue to bless you and family!!!willie henry
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:48 am
GOD BLESS WILL ALWAYS KEEP YOU IN MY
WILLIE Henry
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:52 am
there are many times in life we just don’t why;this is one of these times, but I know GOD KNOWS!!!!
LOVE willie Henry
August 23rd, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Dear Bill,
I was made aware of your battle by some of your Shortridge HS classmates and friends. You may not remember me by name but whether or not I wish you peace and tranquility as you fight your battle.
It seem like 42+ years ago when we were attending classes at SHS was just yesterday.
God bless you and your family during these difficult times.
Ken Meiring
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
August 23rd, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Justice McAnulty,
I just wanted to let you know that I always appreciated how kind you were to me when I appeared before you during oral arguments. No matter how nervous I was (and I was plenty nervous), your smiling face always helped calm me down. Even when I lost cases which you decided, I never felt bad, because I knew you had given my case a fair hearing. Take care of yourself and know that you have made a huge impact on the careers of many young lawyers who aspire to be a smidgen of the lawyer you are.
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:34 pm
School #86, Shortridge - good times all
Peace, Bill
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:52 pm
Dear Bill, Kristi, Patrick, Kate, Will, and Shannon….
I want you to know that Camron and I are still praying and thinking of you each and everyday. Please know how special ALL of you are to us, and how much we love you!! We could’ve never found a more caring, compassionate, and wonderful family to be connected to. Thank you for being such a special part of our lives.
We love you,
Kelly & Camron
August 24th, 2007 at 4:25 am
Mac..
Boomers have been calling me asking about you…I tell them you are the king of boomerball and keep you in their prayers for this most important of comebacks..
Sam and i speak of you often and we have you , the familty,
in our prayers.
we’ve had a lot of good times since the days when you served on our advisory committees for DOJ ..over thirty years ago..
I told my students about you yesterday in the class you often come to for guest lectures..they send their prayers and thoughts too..
You have lots and lots of people pulling for you..!!
love..price and Sam.
August 24th, 2007 at 10:00 am
Kristi: It is with the most profound sadness that, this morning, we learned of Bill’s passing. Our sympathies, and sincere condolences, go out to you and your family.
This is a very sad day for all Kentuckians, but the Commonwealth is a better place having had Bill McAnulty as one of its role models. Bill McAnulty was one of the finest gentlemen it has ever been my pleasure, and my honor, to know. Rest In Peace, my friend. God bless you and your family.
Sincerely: Deane and Dixie Lehrmitt
August 24th, 2007 at 11:15 am
I remember Judge McAnulty from when I worked at the Jefferson Club. It is a terrible when one so true to his convictions is lost. My simpathy goes out to his family. He always treated me as if I were his equal and not just a waitress.
August 24th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
I read today that Justice McAnulty passed away. When he was appointed by Governor Fletcher to the Supreme Court, I wrote to the Governor to commend him on the choice. It wasn’t because Judge McAnulty would be the “first black Justice,” but because he was a scholar. I had the good fortune to practice before Judge McAnulty when he was on the Court of Appeals, and I was struck by his thorough grasp of the facts, his understanding of the law, his application of the law and facts fairly, and that his decisions did not consider “who the person was.” He was what every judge and Justice should be. I was saddened to hear of the news of his health, and now his death - it is a loss to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and to the legal profession.
August 24th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Kentucky and America has lost one of it’s star citizens. Each day of his life, even while gravely ill, Judge McAnulty lived the words of Winston Churchill who said, “Never give in! Never give in! Never, never, never, never - in nothing great or small, large or petty. Never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.” I hope the Judge is remembered for the example he set for everyone of all races, colors and creeds. He was a good, fair, decent and compassionate man who should be remembered for the content of his character.
August 24th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Dear Kristi and family,
The Grant family is so sorry for your loss and will continue to hold you in our hearts and prayers. May it bring you some small measure of comfort knowing that Mac will be remembered so fondly by so many. He touched us all in a very special way. From his sense of humor in the dental office, to the way he mentored our daughter Allison during the brief time she was honored to work for him, it was always a pleasure and privilege to be in his company. He was truly “one of the good guys” and will be sorely missed. Please don’t hesitate to call on us if you need anything.
With deepest sympathy,
Steve and Karen Grant and family
August 24th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
I mourn the passing of a fine man today. I will never forget him. My deepest sympathy to Kristi and family.
August 24th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Kristi and Family,
The preschool learned early this morning of Bill’s passing. Bill was such a well respected person in our community…but on a more personal level we knew him as a father. A father who loved his children and was committed to his family. Please know that we here at AJ Preschool will take the best care of Shannon. We will nurture her growth, comfort her sorrows, give her extra hugs, and of course keep humor and laughter in her daily life just as her dad always did. Will was also in summer camp at AJ many years ago and has grown into a fine young man. We want him to know we will be thinking of him during this sad time. Bill will be missed by all who knew him. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Melissa Loyd and Staff
August 24th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
My deepest sympathies are with you as you begin to adjust to the physical absence of possibly the most respected member of Louisville’s legal community, but more importantly a man who was a devoted and loving husband and father.
As time and your memories help to comfort you, always remember that people, like Mac, who have made such great contributions to society, are the ones that God often needs to give an even higher assignment to for eternity. Please trust that your inner peace based on your love and the beauty of your relationship, even midst the most difficult times, will grow in small amounts daily until all of sudden you notice that the degree of pain you feel right now has been replaced by that ever growing inner peace. Until that time, keep reaching for God’s hand and through your tears, smile today knowing the Mac is probably having a “cold one” and telling some of his unique jokes to the “Big Man” as I write this note!!
God bless and keep you,
Bonnie Walker-Armstrong
August 24th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Our collective thoughts and sympathies are with you as you mourn the loss of your loved one. May God be with you and keep your loved one in his bosom.
August 25th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Sherry and I mourn the loss of a life well lived. We trust God will provide continuous comfort to each of his loved ones.
August 28th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
My condolences to the McAnulty family. Having just heard this tragic news I was beset by memories and fondness of days gone by. I live in Arizona now but as a young man growing up in Louisville I remember campaigning door to door for Mac when he was running for Jefferson County District Court and I have remembered that throughout my life for 30 years now. As a white man I can say that I watched him and admired him when he was still young and remembered that I wanted to be like him. He never saw color, only people and his morals and ethics were always true to humankind. God has his Justice of heaven now and we will all miss you Mac.
August 28th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
I remember further when we were campaigning that I was asked a couple of times, why a white man was campaigning for a black man to be a District Court Judge and my answer was I was campaigning not for a black man but the right man…
August 29th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Hi Kristi:
Deepest sympathies to you in this difficult time. From all I’ve read, your husband was beloved and respected by many. So sorry for your loss.
Only a couple of months ago, I lost one of my best friends to cancer; he was also from Louisville. I gave the eulogy at the funeral in Louisville. And I guess I just share this to say that I have felt the weight of profound grief right there in Louisville. God bless you and your family.
And extended well wishes from somebody who knew you a long time ago when we sat at much smaller desks.
Take care,
Mick(ey) Jeffries
1st grade/Masonville Elementary