William W. Deaton, Jr.

Bill Deaton died peacefully on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, after a relatively short illness. What follows are his thoughts on what he believed to be the highlights of his life. There was so much more to Bill but he was a humble man of few words that said a lot. We will remember him as a good and kind soul with a laser sharp wit.
"I was born December 23,1930, and moved to Albuquerque in 1947. After several semesters at UNM, I enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1951 where I served in the United States and in Korea. In 1953, I married Alice Woodward and we had four children: Bill, Donna, Jim, and John. After graduation from Georgetown Law School in 1966, I practiced for several years with Joseph L. Smith and Richard E. Ransom. In 1973, I joined the Federal Public Defender office under Jack L. Love, whom I later replaced as Federal Public Defender. In 1981, Geraldine E. Rivera and I were married and I became the stepfather of her children, Jeffrey Bowerman and Marc Rivera, who died in 2010. Also in 1981, Ray Twohig and I left the FPD to set up a private law practice. My wife Geraldine generously assisted us in this venture. In 1983, I served as President of the Albuquerque Bar Association. In 1985, Governor Toney Anaya appointed me as a District Judge, and I was retained by election in 1986. In 1989, I was selected as a United States Magistrate Judge where I remained until my retirement in 2003. In 2013, my stepson, Jeffrey and his wife, Racquel, had a child, Sofia, who has spent much time with Geraldine and me and who has greatly enriched our lives. I have been greatly blessed by family and friends, and I leave with a prayer of thankfulness."

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at San Felipe de Neri Church in Old Town Albuquerque at 9:45 a.m. on May 26, 2023. A Reception will follow at Casa Esencia, 800 Rio Grande Blvd. NW from 11:30-1:30. Heartfelt thanks to Louise Rodriguez and the wonderful staff at Genitiva Hospice. Special thanks to Bill's loyal friend and colleague Carla Eyberg. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Catholic Schools Office, https://asfcatholicschools.org.