Obituaries Australia

Sir William Charles Windeyer, by Freeman & Co. 188?

National Library of Australia, nla.pic-an23529983

Sir William Windeyer, late judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, died suddenly at Bologna on Saturday last.

Death was caused by paralysis of the heart.

Sir William, who was 63 years old last month, accepted a temporary position as judge of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland, and was to enter upon his duties next month.

SYDNEY, Tuesday
A cable message announcing the death of Sir William Windeyer was received by the Colonial Secretary at an early hour this morning. Sir Saul Samuel wired:—"Sir William Windeyer died of paralysis on Saturday at Bologna. Please inform his son, with a loving message from his mother."

The intelligence soon became known in Sydney, and the regret expressed at Sir William Windeyer's unexpected death in general.

In the Supreme Court the Chief Justice, sitting with Justices Stephen, Owen, Simpson, and Cohen, announced the receipt of the news of Sir William Windeyer’s death and with much feeling spoke of the deceased judge’s great ability as a lawyer and of his loyalty to his colleagues on the bench. Sir Frederick Darley added that there was no doubt that Sir William Windeyer had been misunderstood, as those who were intimately acquainted with him knew what a true heart beat under his rough exterior, and how genuine was his desire to aid anyone in distress.

In 1895 Sir William Windeyer was appointed chancellor of the University, Sydney, in succession to Sir William Manning, a position which he resigned in 1896, upon obtaining leave of absence to proceed to England on a six months’ holiday. At the end of the term he applied for an extension of his leave, as the worry in connection with the Dean agitation had told upon his constitution. The government, however, owing to the absence at the same time of Sir George Innis felt constrained to refuse the application, and Sir William Windeyer’s resignation was at once received. It was understood that he was somewhat disappointed at not receiving the appointment to the Privy Council that was given to Chief Justice Way, of South Australia.

Recently a cablegram announced his acceptance of a temporary appointment during, a judicial deadlock in the colony of Newfoundland. He married, in 1857, Mary Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. R. T. Bolton of Hexham, Newcastle, who survives him. Three sons and four daughters are the issue of the marriage.