William Silverman
William “Bill” Silverman, a third-generation Denver lawyer, died peacefully at home on June 21, 2018, after a decades-long struggle with diabetes and kidney disease. Rabbi Bruce Dollin and Cantor Martin Goldstein officiated at the June 24 service at the HEA. Interment followed at Rose Hill Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
“Bill, who had a photographic memory, never forgot any point of law, any Colorado Rockies left-handed reliever, nor any restaurant meal,” the family said. “He could recite the Declaration of Independence backwards, perfectly.
“He created respectful friendships with his legal adversaries, and in that way solved problems to make the world a better place.”
Mr. Silverman was born Feb. 19, 1953, in Denver to the late Sheldon and Barbara Silverman. He was a graduate of George Washington High, CU and the CU Law School.
With the exception of studying at The Hebrew University in Israel for a year, he lived his entire life in Denver.
One year after becoming a lawyer, Mr. Silverman successfully argued a case before the Colorado Court of Appeals. Like his father before him, he became counsel to Jordon Perlmutter & Co., where he worked on projects such as Southwest Plaza.
During his 34-year legal career, he lectured on landlord-tenant matters and authored the landlord-tenant chapter in the Krendl’s Methods of Practice treatises.
Mr. Silverman and his wife Julia Davidson Riley practiced law together for 25 years at Silverman & Riley.
In February of 2004, Mr. Silverman traveled to Istanbul and acquired a new kidney in the middle of that city’s worst blizzard.
“That added 14 years to his life, and permitted him to watch his children grow,” the family said. “He passed on a love of Judaism, Denver sports teams, art and political discourse to his sons.”
He belonged to the HEA.
Mr. Silverman is survived by his wife Julia Davidson Riley; sons Charles Riley Silverman, Joseph Riley Silverman and Andrew Riley Silverman; brother Craig (Trish) Silverman and sister Nancy (Alan) Kay; and extended family across the country.
Contributions may be made to Rose Hill Cemetery or the HEA.
Copyright © 2018 by the Intermountain Jewish News
