William Charles Lee

William Charles Lee (February 2, 1938 – January 20, 2024) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.

William Charles Lee
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
In office February 3, 2003 – January 20, 2024
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
In office 1997–2003
Preceded by	Allen Sharp
Succeeded by	Robert Lowell Miller Jr.
Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
In office July 28, 1981 – February 3, 2003
Appointed by	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Seat established by 92 Stat. 1629
Succeeded by	Philip P. Simon
United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana
In office 1970–1973
President	Richard Nixon
Preceded by	Alfred Moellering
Succeeded by	John R. Wilks
Personal details
Born	(1938-02-02)February 2, 1938 Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
Died	January 20, 2024(2024-01-20) (aged 85)
Education	Yale University (AB) University of Chicago (JD)

Education and career

Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Lee received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Yale University in 1959 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School in 1962. He was in private practice in Fort Wayne from 1962 to 1970. He was a deputy prosecuting attorney of Allen County, Indiana from 1963 to 1969. He was the United States attorney for the Northern District of Indiana from 1970 to 1973. He was in private practice in Fort Wayne from 1973 to 1981.^[1]

Federal judicial service

Lee was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on July 1, 1981, to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, to a new seat created by 92 Stat. 1629. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 27, 1981, and received his commission on July 28, 1981. He served as chief judge from 1997 to 2003. He assumed senior status on February 3, 2003. Lee died on January 20, 2024, at the age of 85.^[1]