1998 Honoree, William H. Gates

At the head of every flourishing and successful community can be found leadership of the highest caliber, men and women of great vision, commitment, and accomplishment. William H. Gates is just such a leader, a man whose foresight, unwavering sense of civic responsibility, and numerous achievements have contributed immeasurably to the health and growth of Seattle and the surrounding region. In honor of his lifetime of inspirational leadership as a distinguished attorney and business leader, and because he is consistently dedicated to the betterment of mankind, William H. Gates was awarded the 1998 E. Donnall Thomas Medal of Achievement.

The William H. Gates story is one of tireless dedication: to his family, to his native Northwest, and to the proud profession of law. Born in Bremerton in 1925, he earned his BS and law degrees from the University of Washington, following three years of U.S. Army service in World War II. Bill's hard work in his early career led to a partnership in Shidler, McBroom, Gates, & Lucas in 1964, guiding it through growth and mergers that would eventually establish the firm now known as Preston, Gates & Ellis LLP. One of Seattle's leading law firms, it is internationally noted for its work in corporate litigation, intellectual property and public and private finance.

A successful and prominent lawyer, Bill has been closely involved with the Seattle/King County Bar Association and the Washington State Bar Association, serving as president for both. His many other leadership positions include past chairmanship of the Washington Courts 2000 Committee and the American Bar Association Commission on Public Understanding About the Law. His awards and honors include the 1992 American Judicature Society Herbert Harley Award and being named a 1991 University of Washington Law School Distinguished Alumnus. He is listed in Who's Who in American Law and Best Lawyers in America.

Bill and his late wife, Mary Maxwell Gates, reared three children, consistently keeping family and home life as priority number one. They believed that a healthy community was good for families, too, and devoted countless hours of volunteer, visionary leadership to education and to organizations at the core of Seattle's civic life. "Family first," with its commitment to community, is a set of principles which he and Mary successfully instilled in their children. The Gates family was recognized for its outstanding record of community service by the Seattle/King County Association of REALTORS ®, which bestowed upon them its 1995 First Citizens Award.

Bill and Mary's three children - Kristianne Blake, William Gates III (Trey) and Libby Gates Armintrout -- are carrying out the family tradition of civic responsibility. Kristianne, the eldest, is past president of both the Junior League of Spokane and the United Way of Spokane County, and was recently appointed to the state's Higher Education Coordinating Board by Governor Locke. Their son Trey, Microsoft co-founder and chairman, has helped to transform the Seattle area into the technological capital of the world and has generously supported many non-profit organizations. Libby, the youngest, is past president of the Make a Wish Foundation and is a board member of the Seattle Schools Fund for Excellence and the UW Carlson Leadership and Public Service Office.

Always striving to make a crucial investment in the health of the community tomorrow, Bill has served as trustee, officer, or volunteer for over two dozen Northwest organizations, including the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the Chief Seattle Boy Scouts of America. His chairmanship of the 1989 Seattle/King County United Way Campaign helped raise an impressive $38 million. Bill has been a strong advocate for education for many years. In 1971, he chaired the Seattle Public School Levy Campaign. He has also been involved in the Municipal League Public Schools Committee, and provides major support for the University of Washington Law School.

Now retired and married to Mimi Gardner Gates, Seattle Art Museum Executive Director, Bill remains firmly committed to public life. He has continuously been called upon to lend his vision and skill to civic programs, cultural organizations and business initiatives. His many activities include managing the charitable foundation established by Trey and his wife Melinda . As founding chair of the Technology Alliance, begun in 1995, he leads a cooperative regional effort to expand technology-based employment in Washington. In 1997, Governor Gary Locke appointed him to the University of Washington Board of Regents. In 1993, he joined the board of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Association and since 1995 he has served as a trustee of the Seattle Foundation.

Bill has spent his life working toward the achievement of his vision of a world connected by caring and responsibility, and continues to be a fundamental and positive force for change in the Northwest. He has an uncanny ability to recognize new ways to effect change, while never wavering from the core principles which guide his life and work. His brand of inspired leadership, dedication, and vision for change to benefit mankind can be an example for us all as we move into the global community of the 21st century.

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