William Keene '49, '52

William B. Keene '49, '52, who in his accomplished life was a judge, UC regent, TV star and Alumni Association president, passed away on Jan. 10 at his home in Manhattan Beach surrounded by his family, one month shy of his 93rd birthday.

Keene graduated from Alhambra High School in 1943 and served in the United States Army, 9th Infantry Division from 1943-46, landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy less than a week after the D-Day landings. Following his military service, he earned his bachelor of arts degree in economics at UCLA and was a member of the first graduating class of the School of Law, receiving a bachelor of laws degree in 1952. He was admitted to the California Bar the following year and was a deputy district attorney for Los Angeles County until 1957.

After some years in private practice, Keene served as Municipal Court Judge, South Bay Judicial District, from 1963-65 and then as Superior Court Judge in Los Angeles for nearly 20 years. After retiring from the bench in 1984, he resumed his private law practice and was the star of TV's "Divorce Court" (1984-91).

Keene was a UC Regent from 1973-74 and president of the UCLA Alumni Association from 1971-74. He received numerous honors and accolades, including the inaugural Outstanding Trial Jurist Award from the L.A. County Bar Association, a UCLA Law School Alumnus of the Year award, and a UCLA Alumni Association Professional Achievement Award.

Keene is survived by his son, Andy (Ursula) of Switzerland; daughter Kerry Keene Padilla (Joe); grandchildren Kevin, Brian, Laura and Lynn Keene and Chelsea Formiller. He was predeceased by his wife Patricia, daughter Laura Cathleen, and siblings James II and Ted.

Read the full obituary here.