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Dixon -- William Smith Dixon, 59, passed away peacefully at his North Valley home on March 27, 2003, after a yearlong courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Bill was born on October 5, 1943. He graduated from the Pingry School in New Jersey in 1961. He received a Bachelor of Arts Pi Beta Kappa from Princeton University in 1965. He received a doctor of laws from Yale University in 1968. Bill began a distinguished 35 year legal career with Rodey, Dickason, Sloan, Akin & Robb, PA, in 1968. He was a senior partner at the firm. He was also an adjunct Professor at the University of New Mexico Law School teaching constitutional law courses on the First Amendment for 20 years. Among the many awards he received were:"Champion of Liberty" from the New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association,"Outstanding Lawyer" from the Albuquerque Bar Association,"Best Lawyers in American for first amendment and business law," and the"First Amendment Torch Award" from the ACLU of New Mexico. In addition, the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government established the 1st Amendment Freedom Award in his name. Bill was passionate about his family, his friends, his clients, freedom of speech, books, the law, politics, tennis and laughter. He was a lawyer's lawyer, who used his exceptional skills in defense of unpopular clients, whether they were large corporations or a solo voice that should be heard. Bill is survived by his wife, Valentina de Cruz-Dixon; his daughters, Naila de Cruz-Dixon, Sarah Dixon, Heather Badal; son-in-law, John Badal; granddaughters, Rhythm and Trinity Badal; sister, Elizabeth Dixon, NY; Bill's son, Santino de Crux-Dixon died four days before his father. Additional survivors are mother-in-law, Adelaida Cruz; sisters-in-law, Lola and husband, Robert Granillo, Frances and husband, Ernest Kemp, Angie Cruz, Adela and husband, Gary Kerns; and brother-in-law, Gregorio Cruz Jr. and wife, Anita, all of Tempe, Arizona, along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Alma and John Dixon; and father-in-law, Gregorio Cruz. The Dixon family expresses their gratitude to Dr. Patrick Rivera, Dr. Richard Giudice and Dr. Susan Smith for their compassionate and quality medical care. In addition, the family wishes to thank the caring nurses at the New Mexico Cancer Center; Sharon Joyner from Presbyterian Home Health care; Janet, Sarah and Mary Jane from the Presbyterian Hospice with special gratitude to Norma Gutierrez, the hospice chaplain, for the loving support of Bill and the entire family. The family was blessed with many miraculous friends, who were Bill's angels helping the family care for him around the clock in the final weeks of his life. We are grateful for our wonderful friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Presbyterian Hospice Homecare, P.O. Box 26666, Albuquerque, NM 87125; People Living Through Cancer, 3939 San Pedro Blvd. NE, C-8, Albuquerque, NM 87110; ACLU, P.O. Box 80915, Albuquerque, NM 87198 and New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, P.O. Box 92197, Albuquerque, NM 87199. Celebrate Bill Dixon on Monday, April 7, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. in the Alvarado Ballroom, Sheraton Old Town, 800 Rio Grande Boulevard NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104."These men are the good ones, who love, work, walk and dream. And on a day no different from the rest They lie down beneath the earth." (Antonio Machado)Strong-Thorne Mortuary 1100 Coal Ave. 842-8800
        Published on: Sun April 06, 2003