The Defense Rests
John William “Bill” Gallup was born in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada, on March 3, 1935, and passed away on January 13, 2023. Bill passionately lived his profession as a criminal defense attorney. Bill loved his family, the United States, the military, the law, Lake Okoboji, Colorado, baseball, art, reading, Joslyn Castle, SAC Museum, and Western Heritage Museum—to name a few.
Bill received a BS degree in 1957 from Omaha University and a Master’s degree from the University in 1959. He served two years in the US Army. When his dream of pitching for the Yankees did not materialize, Bill enrolled at Creighton Law School, where he found his true love—the law, graduating in 1964. Upon graduation, Bill was an assistant city prosecutor, deputy county attorney, and an assistant United States attorney before entering private practice. Bill was most proud of a case where he was the only attorney in Nebraska to ever walk a client from death row to freedom.
His love of literature and writing was evident in the many articles he wrote for legal magazines and the many articles he sent to the World-Herald. He received numerous awards and honors, but the one he was most proud of was his invitation to join the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, which included the most well-known criminal attorneys in the country. He also served as president of that Board. His love for baseball never left, but he reconciled his disappointment when he realized the courtroom had become his Yankee Stadium, and instead of pitching baseballs, he was pitching justice. The US flag has flown proudly at every home he owned; he was proud to be an American, a naturalized one. He firmly believed the words of MacArthur—duty, honor, country.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Paula Fortune Gallup, his daughters, Pamela Conrad (Chris), and Bridget Gordman (Kip); his sons, Sean and John Jr.; twelve grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Djel Ann Brown (Paul) and their children: Randy (Kim) Brown, Scott (Kerri) Brown, Marietta Luellen (Rob); twelve additional nieces and nephews.
VISITATION: Friday, January 20th, from 10am to 11am at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 6116 Dodge St., followed by MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL at 11am. Lunch to follow. Family Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Creighton University for the William Gallup Scholarship Fund in the School of Law, in the care of Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler (7805 W. Center Rd, Omaha, NE 68124).
To view a live broadcast of the Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.
10 Comments
May he rest in peace🙏. Our prayers go to the family 🙏
BILL WAS A LEGEND OF SORT AT PATTERSONS HEALTH SPA AT THE OLD HOLIDAY INN ON 72ND.BILL WOULD EXERCISE WITH HEAVY DUMB BELLS
AND WAS KNOWN FOR HIS HEAVY FLYS-HE LOVED HUGE BICEPS .
HIS CARS WERE SO COOL AND I PITYED THE FOOL THAT OPENED HIS CAR DOOR AND BUMPED BILL’S MUSCLE CAR.BILL HUNG OUT WITH DAVE WOOSTER AND MARVIN DOHM AT THE GYM AND WAS THE ENTIRE GYMS LEGAL COUNSEL. WE ALL ENJOYED BILL AND HIS GREAT KNOWLEDGE ,WHICH HE LET US KNOW WHEN HE SPOKE OF SHAKESPEARE AND BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR.
WHEN BILL LIVED IN GINGER COVE HE WOULD EAT DINNER AT MY PARENTS RESTAURANT(LACASA VENICE).MY MOTHER ROSE LOVED BILL AND HIS LOVELY WIFE.GREAT FRIENDS AND VALUED CUSTOMERS.
BILL ALWAYS SAID MAMA ROSES PIZZA WAS THE BEST.
I WILL MISS YOU BILL .YOU HAD SUCH AN IMPACT ON SO MANY OF US. STAY STRONG IN YOUR JOURNEY BILL.
BILL WAS A LEGEND OF SORT AT PATTERSONS HEALTH SPA, AT THE OLD HOLIDAY INN ON 72ND.THERE BILL WOULD EXERCISE WITH HEAVY DUMB BELLS AND WAS KNOWN FOR HIS HEAVY FLYS-HE LOVED HAVING HUGE BICEPS .
BILL OWNED SOME COOL CARS AND I PITYED THE FOOL THAT OPENED HIS CAR DOOR AND BUMPED BILL’S MUSCLE CAR.
AT THE GYM BILL HUNG OUT WITH DAVE WOOSTER AND MARVIN DOHM. HE WAS THE ENTIRE GYMS LEGAL COUNSEL. WE ALL ENJOYED BILL AND HIS GREAT KNOWLEDGE ,WHICH HE LET US KNOW WHEN HE SPOKE OF SHAKESPEARE AND BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR.
WHEN BILL LIVED IN GINGER COVE HE WOULD EAT DINNER AT MY PARENTS RESTAURANT(LACASA VENICE).MY MOTHER ROSE LOVED BILL AND HIS LOVELY WIFE.GREAT FRIENDS AND VALUED CUSTOMERS.
BILL ALWAYS SAID MAMA ROSES PIZZA WAS THE BEST.
I WILL MISS YOU BILL .YOU HAD SUCH AN IMPACT ON SO MANY OF US. STAY STRONG IN YOUR JOURNEY BILL.
Jay, I’m so sorry for the loss of your father. He was a legend in the Nebraska legal field and I hope your Mom and family can take some joy in that. Blessings to all of you. Semper Fi, Mick
a great lawyer and fine president of abcl
My sympathies to the entire family. Bill tried a number of cases before me in my time as a district judge, and I always enjoyed watching and listening–particularly when he (invariably)would explain to a jury he was proud to be a criminal defense attorney because the first defense attorney was Jesus Christ. He would then further explain the story, not to put himself on the same level, but that the poor or weak deserved the same consideration as those of a higher status. Bill was intelligent, articulate, and of most import, was honest and ethical. He will be missed–but remembered.
I enjoyed sharing office space with Bill in the Douglas Street Building (I even enjoyed his “bad” jokes!).
We all gained a lot from our association with Bill, particularly his passion for the law, especially for his defense of the accused, My family was touched by Bill and Paula’s support on the passing of our daughter. Of all I remember of Bill, that support made the best impression on me of what Bill was really like as a person. Hank
“May the “Defense” rest in peace.
Bill inspired many, including me, to properly represent the citizen accused. While still in law school 30 years ago, I remember Bill writing about the “indomitable spirit” of the criminal defense attorney in the NACDL journal. I read it from 400 miles away and still have it in my possession today. Best wishes to his loved ones.
Today I will be attending the funeral services for Bill Gallup whom I have known for 52 years professionally as a fellow lawyer and former prosecutor to pay my respects and give my sincerest condolences to his family. Bill was truly a professional who took his job as a defense attorney seriously. He certainly had the respective the entire Omaha legal community. He had the uncanny ability to place reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors which is the legal standard to find someone not guilty. Some of us as prosecutors referred to him as “wild Bill” because he was hard to handle in the courtroom, a feeling similar to riding a bucking bronco in a rodeo. We knew that you better walk into that courtroom with your “A” game because if you weren’t prepared, he would find a way to beat you. I retain many fond memories of Bill and will miss seeing him. God bless you Bill.
I first met Bill in 1991 when I was a high school student through his son, Sean. Later, as a lawyer myself, I recall hearing Bill on the KFAB Morning show. Whenever his office in Council Bluffs needed reports, I ensured they were promptly delivered. One morning, while he discussed a “zero-tolerance” case on the radio, I called to share my legal experience. Years later, when I faced legal trouble, Bill graciously represented me for free. I’ll never forget how his large desk was completely cleared of any files, papers, phones, legal pads, etc., and when he looked across the table I felt important. His closing at sentencing was memorable! Grateful for his assistance. Peace.
Sign Guestbook