The Mobile Register on 9/7/2008 published this obituary of The Hon. William Brevard Han—Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama. He was the judge in Wallace v. Jaffree and Smith v. Board of School Commissioners of Mobile County.

He died Saturday, September 6, 2008. Judge Hand, a native and life-long resident of this City, was born on Dauphin Street, attended Murphy High School, and completed his undergraduate work and legal studies at the University of Alabama. This process was interrupted by service in northern Europe where he was honored to defend his country as a combat infantry rifleman from the Battle of the Bulge through VE Day. After additional service with the Occupation Army in Czechoslovakia he completed his education and returned to Mobile where he entered the practice of law. He pursued this profession until being appointed to the Federal bench by President Richard Nixon in 1971. He was a fearless man of high moral and intellectual vigor and a soaring idealist; as such, he was never afraid to propound any opinion he felt to be intellectually sound, morally just and supported by the larger precedent. Consequently, he was compelled on two occasions to reverse the United States Supreme Court when compelling evidence had been entered that they had strayed from original intent of the Constitution. He let the chips fall where they may. Judge Hand was born and reared in the Dauphin Way Methodist Church, serving in all lay capacities that it offered, and enjoying their recognition of him as Honorary member of the Administrative Board and a lifetime Steward of the Church. A rounded man, he also participated in the mystics of this City, believing that a little foolishness, now and then, is valued by the wisest of men. Judge Hand was predeceased by his parents, Charles C. and Irma Weems Hand, and in April of this year, his wife of 60 years, Allison Denby Hand. He is survived by his daughters Jane Hand Dukes (David), of Mobile, Virginia Hand Hollis (Bill), of Germantown, and Allison Hand Peebles (John), of Mobile; grandchildren: Brevard Dukes Hinton (Thomas) of Valdosta; Ann Chandler Dukes Shuleva (Matt), of Birmingham, and David Dewitt Dukes, Jr. (Ashley) of Jacksonville; Elizabeth Alan Hollis, of Germantown, Katherine Hollis Taylor (Jack), of Dallas; John Connor H. Peebles, and William Battle Peebles, both of Mobile; and great-grand children Tom, William and Jane Hinton. He is also survived by his brother Dr. James Albert Hand (Jean), of Salem, Oregon, and many cherished nephews and nieces. A graveside service will be held at 9:00, Tuesday, September 9th, followed at 10:00 by a visitation in the McGowin Center at Dauphin Way Methodist, after which, at 12:00, a memorial service in the main sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to Dauphin Way Methodist Church, 1507 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Ala. 36604, or The Ben May Branch of the Mobile Public Library, 701 Government Street, Mobile, Ala. 36602.”