William Trulock Beeks

Who was William Trulock Beeks?

William Trulock Beeks was a United States federal judge.

Born in El Reno, Oklahoma, Beeks received an LL.B. from the University of Washington School of Law in 1932. He was in private practice in Seattle, Washington from 1932 to 1942 before serving in the United States Army during World War II, from 1942 to 1946, where he achieved the rank of Colonel. He served as lead defense attorney for the 43 prisoners tried in the Fort Lawton Riot case, the largest and longest U.S. Army court-martial of World War II. He returned to private practice in Seattle from 1947 to 1961.

On August 4, 1961, Beeks was nominated by President John F. Kennedy to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington vacated by John C. Bowen. Beeks was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 15, 1961, and received his commission the same day. He served as chief judge from 1971 to 1973, assuming senior status on May 31, 1973, and serving in that capacity until his death in 1988, in Seattle.