This “In Remembrance” section lists WSBA members by bar number and date of death. The list is not complete and contains only those notices of which the WSBA has learned through correspondence from members. Please email notices to wabarnews@wsba.org.
SEPT. 2026
Craig Campbell
#440, 3/13/2026
Craig Campbell was born on May 19, 1931, in Seattle to parents Ernest W. Campbell and Marjorie Pierrot Campbell. He graduated from Roosevelt High School, the University of Washington, and the University of Washington School of Law. While at UW, Campbell met and married a fellow student, Jean Gibson. The couple eventually had five children and remained married until Jean’s death in 2021. Campbell served in the U.S. Marine Corps and lived in Quantico and Arlington before returning to the Seattle area, Bainbridge Island. In 1960, he joined the law firm Karr, Tuttle, Koch. In 1979, he was named a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Outside of work, Campbell loved boating, including boat camping around the islands and coves of British Columbia and attending UW football games via boat. He also enjoyed gardening, playing tennis and pickleball, reading, and spending time with his family. Campbell quietly supported many local organizations and his college alma mater. Later in life, when he was in his 90s, he met and formed a companionship with Patty Bryant, who became part of the family. Campbell died at age 94 on March 13, 2026, and is survived by his five children, David, Chris, Jay, Catherine, and Andrew; his 14 grandchildren; his six great-grandchildren; and four nieces and nephews.
Thomas Coe
#23689, 4/6/2026
Thomas Coe grew up in Manchester-By-the-Sea, Massachusetts, and earned degrees from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Seattle University School of law. He is described as principled, trusted and respected by clients and colleagues, quick to laugh, adventurous, and devoted. Outside of his legal practice, Coe loved the outdoors. In winter, he was a backcountry skier, and in warmer weather, he was a rock climber. He climbed around New England, the Southwest, the Sierra Nevada, the Rockies, the Cascades, the Olympics, and the Alps. Coe died on April 6, 2026. He is survived by his wife, Shelagh; his sons, Russell and Johan; and many other family members.
Janet George
#5990, 6/27/2026
Janet George was born on June 2, 1939, in Moberly, Missouri, to parents Blanche and Troy George Sr. She later moved with her family to Salinas, California, where she developed her lifelong love of horses. George attended community college for one year and then transferred to Stanford University, majoring in nursing. During college, she worked as a blackjack dealer and a flight attendant with the Flying Tigers, a cargo airline and military charter operator. George eventually earned a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Washington, where she became an assistant professor. She also worked at the Seattle Mental Health Institute and later became its director of nursing. George then attended the University of Puget Sound Law School and completed her J.D. in 24 months. She eventually discovered she loved family law and in 1979, she opened her own practice. Throughout her legal career, she represented prominent clients in divorces; she was a consultant on the divorce of Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos. In 2017, George merged her law firm with McKinley Irvin. Outside of work, George loved horseback riding, golf, pickleball, tennis, skiing, pool, and flying. She is described as extraordinary and fun-loving. George died at age 87 on June 27, 2026, at her home in Sun Valley, Idaho. She is survived by her brother, William George; her nieces and nephews, Ruth Dowling, Jennifer Solomon, Troy Goerge III, Michael George, and Matthew George; and her “adopted” grandson, Jake Hanson.
Charles Hamilton III
#5648, 6/15/2026
Charles Hamilton III became a member of the WSBA in 1974. He was a solo practitioner in Seattle, focusing on personal injury and criminal law. He died on June 15, 2026.
James Hamilton
#9630, 4/5/2026
James Hamilton earned an undergraduate degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in computer science from California State University. He earned a law degree from Lewis and Clark Northwestern School of Law and became a member of the WSBA in 1979. Hamilton was a solo practitioner in Vancouver, Washington, focusing on real estate transactions and litigation, business law, and general civil litigation.
Montell Hester
#121, 4/21/2026
Montell Hester grew up in Oklahoma. He became a prominent trial attorney in Pierce County with his firm Hester Law Group, representing public officials and others in high-profile cases. One of the cases that made him well known in the criminal defense sphere was his representation of Pierce County Sheriff George V. Janovich Sr., who was convicted of racketeering. Hester also represented clients including David Lewis Rice, Brian Eggleston, and Pierce County Councilman Wendell Brown. In addition to criminal defense, he handled civil rights and personal injury cases. At the WSBA, Hester served as a member of the Board of Governors from 1990 to 1993. He is described as “a giant,” the “epitome of ethics,” a tough but fair opponent, and an incredibly hard worker. Hester played basketball during his youth and continued playing long into his legal career. In the 1980s, he helped initiate a tradition of daily pickup games with lawyers and judges in Tacoma. The tradition lasted more than 30 years. Hester died on April 21, 2026, of cancer. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Teddi; his children, Lance Hester, Craig Hester, and Monica Swanson; eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Keith Johnson
#25179, 12/1/2025
Keith Johnson became a member of the WSBA in 1995. His legal practice focused on personal injury, wrongful death, and litigation. He lived and worked in Red Bank, New Jersey.
Ulysses Jones
#26712, 4/8/2026
Ulysses Jones was born on Feb. 5, 1951, in Houston, Texas, to parents Ulysses and Eunice Barton Jones. Jones earned his undergraduate degree in business and education from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. He then earned his law degree from Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law, graduating with honors in 1976. He was admitted to the Texas State Bar in 1976 and began interning with the late Chief Justice John C. Phillips. Jones went on to become the chief litigator for the southwest coastal region of the Chevron Corporation. In 1978, Jones married his wife, Janice Carter. The couple eventually had three sons, Ulysses, Jonathan, and Joel. In the mid-1990s, Jones and his family moved to the Seattle area. Jones was admitted to the WSBA in 1997. Several years later, Jones and his family moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota. Jones became a member of the North Dakota State Bar in 2005 and started his own family law and criminal defense practice, Jones Law Office, in Devils Lake. Outside of work, Jones was active in his church and community. He was well known for his strong faith in god, his integrity, his kindness, and his tenacity. Jones died at age 75 on April 8, 2026. He is survived by his wife and sons; his daughter-in-law, Stephanie; his siblings, Bishop Ernest J. Jones, Hannah J. Smith, Eddie B. Jones Sr., Marie J. Mure; and many other family members.
Scott McJannet
#41658, 7/10/2026
Scott McJannet earned his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Washington and his law degree from Columbia Law School. His legal practice mainly focused on corporate, public finance, and municipal and government law. McJannet’s most recent legal roles were with Seattle Housing Authority, where he worked for nearly three years, and K&L Gates, where he worked for just over 15 years. At the WSBA, McJannet volunteered on the Board of Bar Examiners from 2011 to 2015. McJannet is described as patient, funny, and thoughtful. He died on July 10, 2026, and is survived by his wife and sons.
Patrick Mulvihill
#33699, 7/12/2026
Patrick Mulvihill was born in 1977. He earned his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Washington and his law degree from Willamette University School of Law. After graduating from law school, Mulvihill went to work with his father, who had a personal injury practice in Lynnwood. He later started his own legal practice in Mountlake Terrace after his father retired. Mulvihill loved spending time with his family and had a passion for fine woodworking. He is described as having a keen mind, a compassionate and generous spirit, and a quick sense of humor. He died at age 49 on July 12, 2026. He is survived by his wife, Kirstie, and his children, Madelyn and Neil.
John Payne
#11707, 6/24/2026
John Payne was born on June 26, 1953. He earned his undergraduate degree in history from the University of Michigan and his law degree from Detroit College of Law (now Michigan State University College of Law). Payne was a shareholder and one of the founders of the firm Davis Grimm Payne & Marra. He represented clients in collective bargaining, labor arbitrations, union organizing counter campaigns, election proceedings, unlawful labor practice charges, and strike responses. One of the highlights of his career was a case he won in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023. Above all else, Payne loved his family. He and his wife, Mary Sue, were married for 50 years. Payne was also a devoted father and grandfather. He was also a dedicated member of Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church. Payne is described as having a sharp mind, an unshakable work ethic, a great sense of humor, an easy laugh, and kindness and wisdom that he freely shared. He died of cancer at age 72, on June 24, 2026. He is survived by his wife; his daughters, Stephanie and Laura; and his four grandsons, Carlo, Eli, Carson, and Miles.
Jay Sayles
#55268, 6/18/2026
Jay Sayles earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Davis, and his law degree from Lewis and Clark Law School. He became a member of the Oregon State Bar in 2011 and a member of the WSBA in 2019. He held a variety of roles throughout his legal career, including more recently, of counsel at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, of counsel at Keating Jones Hughes, and attorney at Hart Wagner in Portland. Sayles focused his practice on civil litigation with an emphasis on tort, natural resource, water, and land use law. He died of cancer at age 45 on June 18, 2026. He is survived by his wife, Sara; their two children; his brothers, Spencer and Matt; and many other friends and family members.
John Wood
#39120, 5/22/2026
John Wood was born on Dec. 6, 1963. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University, a master’s degree in mathematics from Georgetown University, and a J.D. from Tulane University. He was a solo practitioner in Seattle, focusing on ERISA claims and litigation, including claims involving disability, health care, life insurance, and other employee benefits. Wood is described as intellectually curious and high-achieving. He valued human and animal rights, education, and his family. Wood died on May 22, 2026, of heart disease. He is survived by his son, Crosby Wood; his parents, Dan Wood and Cindy Butler Wood; his sister, Cinda Bross; and other family members.
Bryce Dille
#2862, 7/18/2026
Bryce Dille earned his undergraduate degree in political science and economics from the University of Washington in 1961 and his law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1966. Dille focused his legal practice on real estate, business, construction, and health care law. He also had many years of experience handling estate planning and probate matters. Dille and his wife, Gretchen, lived in Pierce County and had three children together. Dille enjoyed football, golf, skiing, fishing, and all water activities. He had extensive volunteer experience, including serving on the Good Samaritan Hospital Board of Directors, the Mary Bridge Hospital Foundation Board, and the Puyallup Valley Chamber of Commerce. Dille was also a longtime volunteer with the WSBA. He was a current member of the Board of Bar Examiners and the Legislative Review Committee. He also served on the Real Property, Probate & Trust Section Executive Committee from 2021 to 2023, as a member of the Limited Practice Board from 2005 to 2008, as a member of the WSBA Board of Governors for District 9 from 2001 to 2004, and as a member of the Disciplinary Board from 1996 to 1999. Dille was a member of the Elder Law, Real Property, Probate & Trust, and Senior Lawyers Sections. He died on July 18, 2026.