William Ewald

William “Bill” Jay Ewald, age 80, of Saginaw Township, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 15, 2026, in Linwood, Michigan. The son of William J. and Edna (Syroke) Ewald, Bill was born November 4, 1945, in Saginaw, Michigan. He married Deanna (nee, Schullo) Berry on August 23, 1999. Bill was born and raised in Saginaw, graduating from Saginaw High in 1963. He went on to graduate from Michigan State University in 1967 and Detroit College of Law in 1973 and then served in the Saginaw County Prosecutor's Office with Prosecutor Brady Denton. He went on to practice for 26 years in Grand Rapids, where he met Dee, who has an extensive background in the legal profession as a secretary/paralegal and a legal administrator in Grand Rapids law firms. In 2000 Bill and Dee decided to return to Saginaw, when Bill became a member of Braun Kendrick law firm, continuing his practice representing clients throughout the state of Michigan and on a national basis. Bill and Dee Ewald, husband and wife, had served on the FNI Board of Directors since 2009, and had formerly served as Co-Chairs of the Underwriting Committee for FNIs Fall Gala Dinner and Show Fundraiser at the Temple Theatre for six consecutive years. Dee had the opportunity to travel with Bill and her experience in the legal profession was always appreciated by Bill as he valued her observation and assistance at court hearings and trials. Bill and Dee were also active in the Saginaw Arts and Enrichment Commission, where Bill had served as both Vice Chair and Chair of the Commission. Dee was noted for her photography, both at FNI, where she always treasured opportunities to capture candid photographs of Dr. Field as well as Saginaw Arts and Enrichment activities, and many of her photographs had appeared in numerous FNI and Arts publications. (As you can see, Bill was my biggest fan and was always protective and proud to be with me, cheering me on and boasting about me when we should have only been talking about him. He truly loved me and he was my everything).

 He was complimented by so many judges that they saw he knew the way around a courtroom and appreciated being willing to work with the other side. People would ask how can you travel all over the country trying cases and his response was: I’m just a kid from Whittier Street in Saginaw, Michigan, and I simply treat people with respect and courtesy, from the bailiffs to the clerk saying good morning each morning and goodnight each evening. Quite often the judges around the country would chuckle when Bill would say you ruled against me at every turn, so you’ve set me up for appealable issues if I need them. One judge looked at his clerk and said “Did I?!” and the clerk responded, he is right. Thankfully most times he didn’t need them. I was so proud when Bill represented a salon owner being sued and the jury sent a question to the judge asking “Can we give money to the defendant?!” The judge said he had never seen that ever before in his many years on the bench. Bill practiced every day with style, dignity and integrity and had a love for the law, but the law was a jealous mistress, and he gave her his all. He did business on a handshake, never going back on his word. I was always full of pride when I watched him work tirelessly saying he only had one chance to win for his client and they didn’t pay him to lose. Through trials and trial prep where he worked alone, standing in front of the court alone, and waiting for the jury to come back alone. He believed it was the team if he won the trial, but if he lost, it was he who would lose the case and not the witnesses or anyone else. Dee was also considered the official photographer of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, where Bill had been a member since 1988 and served as Chair of its Admissions Committee for 4 years, as well as Vice Chair for several years. This organization is limited to 1,200 trial lawyers from around the world considered to practice "above and beyond," and membership is by nomination and an extensive background investigation. A major consideration for Bill and Dee, in returning to Saginaw, was the quality of healthcare provided in the area. Bill's mother, Edna Ewald, had been treated by Dr. Field and she was so proud that he was "her doctor." Bill and Dee shared Edna Ewald's great admiration for Dr. Field and his work and began a commitment to share in Dr. Field's dream. Dr. Field and Bill shared a mutual respect of each other and Dr. Field referred to Bill as a “Masterful Attorney” when they grabbed lunch and when he would see Bill at events and Board meetings. Bill and Dee were FNI Board Members and Co-Chaired FNIs Underwriting Committee for six years to raise awareness and financial commitment of the community in support of FNI and its projects for the betterment of the quality of life. We missed Dr. Field when he passed away.

Bill represented business owners, manufacturers and insurers and insureds in products liability claims, premises liability and negligence lawsuits, insurance coverage disputes, first-party claims, including defending insurance companies in claims involving arson and fraud, subrogation cases and counsels individuals and transportation companies in third-party automobile litigation. Representing individuals in defense of malpractice and professional liability claims, including architects and engineers, constitutes another portion of his practice, as well as representing insurance agencies with respect to their professional errors and omissions coverage, insureds regarding civil rights matters and governmental immunity, and individuals in their personal matters throughout the state of Michigan. Bill had over 50 years of trial experience in the practice of law, including 20 years of management experience for opening and running Grand Rapids offices of Southfield based law firm as one of three managing partners building an 18-attorney law firm to a 78-attorney law firm [11 yrs] for Denenberg, Tuffley, Bocan, Jamison, Hopkins & Ewald, and as a managing partner opening and managing of a 55-attorney Grand Rapids office for Sullivan Ward [9 yrs], and returned home to Saginaw to be nearer his brother, Ken Ewald, who predeceased Bill 2007. He also has several years of government service as a former Ass't. Prosecuting Attorney for Saginaw County, assigned to the homicide and controlled substance prosecutions, and as AUSA in the organized crime and white-collar crime sections of the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western Dist. of Michigan.  He was the lead prosecutor in the only case to come out of the Jimmy Hoffa disappearance, a seven-week trial.  Bill was also the lead government prosecutor in the controlled substances case involving comedian Tim Allen.  He had tried four first-degree murder cases and over 25 major drug cases for the prosecution. Since 1980, he had been primarily involved in representing insurers, their insureds, and corporations in matters involving coverage opinions [among others, Rouge Power House explosion, Taco Bell/Chihuahua, Wild Turkey Distillery, and arson and fraud matters], torts/third-party negligence, products liability [nationally], professional errs and omissions, school liability matters, and subrogation. Specialties: Winning trial lawyer, national basis, representing and managing parties' interests in multi-million dollar litigation; Outstanding development of factual defenses; Innovative ideas to successfully settle litigation; Determined by peers to be "above and beyond" expected performance by a trial lawyer [FDCC]; Building/managing law firms [businesses]. He enjoyed extensive travel throughout the United States in his trial practice, and travels to Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe, and fishing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and fly-in fishing in Canada. Fishing in Cabo San Lucas for marlin and 250 miles out in the Pacific for big yellow fin, catch and release. He was admitted to the United States Supreme Court and had the opportunity to represent a client before that court. In addition, he was a member of the State Bar of Michigan, and a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel [limited to 1200 in the world], the 100 Best Lawyers in Michigan, a Fellow of the Michigan Bar.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 26 years, Deanna Ewald; beloved cousin who was like a brother and sister, Beverly (Gerald) Rychel and Fran (Jerry) Osenga,  nephew, Kenneth Ewald, his niece, Ami Ewald and his great nieces, Heidi, Kaylin and Adrian Ewald and great nephew Henry Ewald Skentzos, as well as his nieces, Yasmeen and Nyala and his nephew Jamal (Arti Lalwani) Ahmed, and his brother in law, Jeffrey (Janine) Schullo, and sisters-in-law, Linda (Shamim “Mo”) Ahmed, and Shiela Ewald; and many other dear family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents William J and Edna (Syroke) Ewald, and his brother Kenneth James Ewald, and his dear nephew Brandon Ahmed.

A visitation for Bill will take place Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 4:00p.m. until 7: 00p.m, when the Rosary will be prayed. Visitation will continue Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 9:30a.m. until the time of Funeral Service at 10:30a.m. at Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Road, Saginaw, MI 48603. Rev. Fr. Richard John will officiate. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery, Saginaw. A luncheon will follow at Horizon’s Conference Center.

For information, please call Deisler Funeral Home at (989) 799-1151. To express your condolences and share memories with the family, please visit www.deislerfuneralhome.com.