Obituary: William Christie

Mr Christie, known to friends and family as Bill, was a servant of the legal profession that absolutely believed in the need for justice.

A solicitor in Edinburgh for many years, he was eventually appointed to the bench and continued to display the personality and values that endeared him to friends, family and colleagues alike.

The son of a legal clerk, William, and his wife Anne Smith, Mr Christie was educated at St Mary's School in York Lane, and then Holy Cross Academy.

He then began the foundations of his legal career, studying and graduating from Edinburgh University with a degree in law. He completed his apprenticeship at the age of 21 and this was followed by compulsory National Service between 1954 and 1956.

On coming home he set about following his legal aspirations, starting off at J&F Anderson in Edinburgh, followed by a period at Tods Murray and Jamieson.

In 1956 he met his future wife Maeve at a Holy Cross former pupils ball after being introduced by friends. Marrying in Coatbridge, the couple lived in Glasgow for a short time but Mr Christie couldn't be kept away from Edinburgh for long.

He moved back, working for McKay and Norwell in the late 1950s before setting up his own practice, WJ Christie, in 1968.

As a court solicitor, Mr Christie ran the firm for three years before it merged with another Edinburgh practice, Allan McDougall. Coupled with the fact Mr Christie was one of the first solicitors to work under the criminal legal aid scheme, he helped make his firm one of the most well-known in the legal profession.

He became the president of the Faculty of Procurators of Midlothian, and was known by his colleagues as always wanting to serve the best interests of his clients. He stayed with his practice until 1979, when he was appointed sheriff at Kirkcaldy.

He was known as a sheriff for being well mannered with everyone in his courtroom, but he upheld the traditions and values of the justiciary and would give anyone not dressed appropriately a strict telling off.

Outside of the courtroom Mr Christie had a very full life: he was a Companion of the Order of Malta, was secretary for Hibernian FC during the 1960s, and was a keen sportsman himself, having boxed and played rugby for Edinburgh University.

He was also a huge fan of music and opera, singing in a good tenor voice as a party trick without much prompting.

Fittingly, his funeral service was held at Edinburgh's St Mary's Cathedral, where he had sung as a choirboy from the age of eight.

Mr Christie is survived by his wife and his three sons - Rory, Fergus and Aidan - and five grandchildren.