US Dist. Judge William J. Hibbler Dies at Age 65
U.S. District Judge William J. Hibbler died unexpectedly today. He was 65 years old.
A member of the federal bench in Chicago for nearly 13 years, Hibbler not only a respected and beloved judge known for his fairness but “an outstanding jurist, a warm and personable human being, a true gentleman, and a wonderful colleague,” Chief Judge James F. Holderman of the Northern District of Illinois said in a written statement (PDF). “We will miss him greatly, and our hearts go out to his entire family.”
Although Hibbler had suffered from an unspecified illness, he had seemed to be recuperating, and hence his death was unexpected, the Associated Press reports.
After graduating from DePaul University College of Law, Hibbler went on to work as a Cook County prosecutor and serve as an associate judge there for 13 years before he was appointed to the federal bench by President Bill Clinton in 1999.
He was one of three black judges on the federal bench in Chicago.
