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William R. Federici, Born on July 15, 1917, passed away in Santa Fe on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at the age of 92. Bill was born in Cimarron, New Mexico, the son of Narcisco and Divina Federici, who immigrated to the United States from Spezia, Italy, in 1903. He attended elementary schools in Cimarron and Colfax, NM and graduated from high school in Dawson, NM in 1934. He graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1939 and from the University of Colorado Law School in 1941. Bill served as an assistant attorney general of New Mexico in 1941. He served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific from 1942-1946 during World War II. On VE Day, May 8, 1945 he married Elsie Marie Frizell at St. Joseph Catholic Church Rectory in Springer, NM. Bill and Elsie lived in Washington, D.C. while he served as an aide to Congressman A.M. Fernandez. In 1946 he returned to the New Mexico Attorney General's office, then in 1948 joined the law firm of Seth and Montgomery in Santa Fe and became a partner shortly thereafter. Bill served on the Supreme Court of New Mexico from 1977 1987, the last two years as Chief Justice. He then returned to the Montgomery firm in the capacity "Of Counsel." In 2005 he became Counsel Emeritus. Bill is a member of the New Mexico State Bar (inactive). He served as President of the State Bar, 1970-1971, and was a member of the New Mexico State Bar Commission. He is a Fellow of the American College of Probate Counsel (1965). Some of his awards include the University of Colorado Law School Alumni Award for Distinguished Service in the Judiciary (1991); the State Bar of New Mexico Distinguished Bar Service Award (1991); the State Bar of New Mexico Professionalism Award (1996); State Bar of New Mexico Century of Achievement Award (1999); the National Italian American Bar Association Achievement Award (2000); the American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the US Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit (2000); and the UNM Zia award (2002). Bill prided himself on making time to help others and providing pro-bono work to those in need. In his personal life, Bill enjoyed the outdoors, which included family trips to Yellowstone and Red River, fishing, hunting, boating and traveling both in the U.S. and abroad. He enjoyed family get-togethers, singing in harmony with his sisters and eating good food. In his later years he enjoyed his poker groups, horse racing and the casinos. Bill is survived by his sister, Ann Federici-Martin; children: Linda Stevens, Richard Federici, Larry Federici (Lora), and Gina Federici (Buck Rackley); grandchildren: Eric Federici and Staci Stevens (David Valentino); great-granddaughter, Carmen Jaye Valentino; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Elsie; parents; brother Fred; sisters Benezia and Emma and her husband Lento. Public visitation will begin on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at Berardinelli Family Chapol in Santa Fe with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Celebration will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi at 12:00 noon. Burial will follow at the Rosario Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Equal Access to Justice, Inc., P.O. Box 92860 Albuquerque, NM 87199-2860, (505) 797-6064, www.eaj-nm.org . Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 1399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 984-8600
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