William E. Haggerty, 55

William E. Haggerty, 55, succumbed to a prolonged illness on Monday, Nov. 19, 2007 at his home in Lititz, Pa. At the time of his death, he was surrounded by family.

Bill will be remembered as a loving husband, caring father, legal advocate and lifelong friend whose enthusiasm, curiosity and sense of humor brightened the lives of everyone he knew.

A prominent trial attorney in Lancaster, Bill was born in Philadelphia on Dec. 4, 1951. He attended La Salle College High School, Villanova University and Villanova University School of Law. He became a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association in 1976.

Following law school, Bill moved to Lancaster and began his law career. Bill built a successful practice and rose to a position of prominence among his peers in the Lancaster Bar Association. An active trial lawyer, Bill was certified as a civil trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and was a member of the Trial Lawyers of America. He was also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and was listed in Who’s Who in America Law.

Despite a busy schedule, Bill sought ways to enhance his knowledge of the law and to help others. In October 2000, he attended and graduated from Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College in Wyoming. He also taught trial advocacy at Widener School of Law for many years.

Bill’s energy and humor shown through in everything he did. Whether he was lifting weights, going to the beach, making an ice cream run or getting together with lifelong friends, Bill was excited about living, learning and laughing. No experience was worth missing, no friend was too far away and no situation was without a touch of humor.

Bill is survived by his wife, Catherine L. Hughes, her children Lisa C. Hughes and Eric J. Hughes, and his children Sara J. Haggerty and Michael J. Haggerty. Bill’s father, Eugene F. Haggerty, lives in the Philadelphia area. Bill has two brothers, James C. Haggerty (wife Joan) of Philadelphia and Stephen M. Haggerty (wife Kimberly) of Brooklyn. He was preceded in death by his mother, Anne Durkin Haggerty.

Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects to the family on Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. from the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA. A second calling time will be held on Monday morning from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 437 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA. Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Anthony Janton as Celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to La Salle College High School, 8605 Cheltenham Ave., Wyndmoor, Pa. 19038, in thanks for lifelong friends, or Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University, DUMC Box 3624, Trent Drive, 047 Baker House, Durham, N.C. 27710.