J. William “Bill” Braithwaite 1928-2020

Long-time Barrington resident J. William “Bill” Braithwaite passed away December 6, 2020, at the age of 92 due to complications from COVID-19.

Born September 28, 1928, in Detroit, Mich, the son of the late James and Eunice Braithwaite, Bill grew up on a small poultry farm in Putnam, Conn., where his father worked as a weaver in a woolen mill during the Great Depression. His parents valued education and he was one of just a handful of graduates from his high school class to attend college.

Though gifted with a brilliant mind, he led with his heart. The seeds of a life lived in service to others began when Bill became involved in the 4-H Club as a boy. “I went to 4-H camp from the time I was probably eight years old and at every meal we sang the same song and I have never forgotten the words and the message of it, particularly,” he said recently. “For food and health and happiness, accept our gratitude and praise. In serving others, Lord may we, repay our debt of love to thee.”

Bill attended the University of Connecticut, where 4-H continued to influence his life. He became president of the University 4-H Club, and in 1949 he met his wife of 69 years, Dyllis, who was the club’s secretary.

He served in the Army from 1946–1948, beginning when he was just 17-years-old. During his service, he spent a year in the Philippines and attended the University of Santo Tomas, Manila. He served again in the Army National Guard from 1950-1952, during which time he was stationed in Virginia and Germany.

Following his graduation from Columbia Law School, Bill was awarded a one-year teaching fellowship at Northwestern University Law School. He and Dyllis settled in Barrington in 1955, attracted by the rolling hills that reminded them of their native Connecticut.

An icon in Illinois municipal law and mentor to many, Bill practiced law for 64 years and served as chair of the Chicago Bar Association Municipal Law Committee. Braithwaite began his career as a land use attorney in 1959 by forming the Village of South Barrington. He subsequently served as an attorney for many of the local villages including Barrington, Volo, Campton Hills, and, for over 50 years, the Village of North Barrington.   

“If you admire the serene quality of life exemplified in Barrington’s neighborhoods, he is likely more responsible for it than any other person,” wrote David Rutter in the magazine Quintessential Barrington.

As Barrington Area Council Of Governments (BACOG) Executive Director Janet Agnoletti told Quintessential in 2016, “I had known Bill Braithwaite from his respected reputation in municipal law and his involvement in community organizations, but it wasn’t until his first call to me when I started working at BACOG that I began to know first-hand the generous and thoughtful man that he is. Whenever I started a new program or a controversial development project fell in my lap, my phone rang–and it was Bill offering to help. His help never came with a price tag…Bill has contributed behind-the-scenes at BACOG for many years, where his keen mind and insights are always highly valued. In our relationship, I could never say thank you enough, and in his modest way, Bill never accepted there was a need for thanks.”

He continued working and volunteering throughout his life. “I’ve been working ever since I can remember because I love practicing law,” he said in an oral history recently. “It’s just that simple.”    

During his 64 years in Barrington, Bill worked behind-the-scenes on fundraising projects, served on governing boards and provided free legal counsel for a number of organizations. He earned community service awards including “Man of the Year” and “Board Director Emeritus” from Family Service of the Barrington Area, the Barrington Area Development Council’s “Citizen of the Year” and countless others.

He was a longtime member and volunteer with the Barrington United Methodist Church and served on the board of its affiliate, the Marcy Newberry Foundation. He was chairman of the Sunday School, was active on the Missions Commission and instrumental in establishing the church’s Endowment Fund. He played a significant role in the church’s relocation after it had been destroyed by fire.

While serving on the Barrington School Board, he insisted that the Hough Street School be closed immediately upon learning it was a fire hazard and the next day students went to school at the church across the street.

Bill was a member of the Barrington Chamber of Commerce as well as its Executive Breakfast Club, served on the boards of the Barrington Area Council on Aging and the Clearbrook Center Foundation, and recently served as the pro-bono attorney for Let It Be Us.

But it was his family that meant the most to him. His complete devotion to Dyllis was legendary. When asked the secret to a successful and happy relationship, Bill said: “Respect for each other and a genuine love.” 

“Our father encouraged and supported us in our interests and taught us by example to respect others,” said daughter Nancy. “He believed in social justice and inclusion, and told us that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the most important legislation in his lifetime.”

He had a huge heart, brilliant mind, unquestionable integrity, strong work ethic, wisdom, generosity, compassion for others, and a great sense of humor. He was humble and completely without pretense.

He is survived by his wife Dyllis; children Nancy of Bunnik, Netherlands; Gordon of Crystal Lake, Ill.; and Ann and her husband Randy of Lincoln, Mass; grandchildren Amarins, Tsjalling, Austin, Preston and Christopher, and great-grandaughter Amelia.

A memorial service for Bill will be held at the Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road, Barrington, IL, on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory can be made to the following organizations:

• The Barrington United Methodist Church, Memorial, www.barringtonumc.com or via check: Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road, Barrington, IL 60010
• Let It Be Us, https://letitbeus.org, 145 W. Main Street, Barringon, IL 60010
• A Long Swim, https://alongswim.org, 117 S. Cook Street, Suite 248, Barrington, IL 60010
• Barrington White House, http://friendsofbwh.org, 145 W Main St., Barrington, IL 60010

For online condolences visit www.davenportfamily.com.