William C. Robinson, Esquire

William C. Robinson, Esquire, 87, of Butler, PA, a prominent Butler attorney, died peacefully at 3:43 AM on Saturday, August 25, 2007 at the Good Samaritan Hospice at Concordia. Attorney Robinson was born on July 2, 1920 in Wilkes-Barre, PA, the son of the late Edwin James Robinson and the late Edna Lewis Robinson. Attorney Robinson practiced law in the area for 57 years. He was well-respected in the legal community and achieved his successes with his extensive knowledge of the law, particularly in the areas of civil procedure and rules of evidence. He attended Brown University as part of his post-secondary education and obtained his B.A. degree from Wesleyan University in 1944. He received his law degree in 1950 from the University of Pittsburgh and subsequently entered the practice of law with his father-in-law, the late Zeno F. Henninger, who had been in the legal profession since 1920. The law firm of Henninger and Robinson originated in 1951. Attorney Robinson gained prominence as an insurance defense litigator, but maintained a well-rounded general practice. At the pinnacle of his distinguished legal career, Attorney Robinson served as local defense counsel for over 20 national insurance companies in civil litigation cases in Butler, Beaver, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango and Armstrong Counties. He continued practicing law nearly to the date of his death. Attorney Robinson was a member of the Allegheny County and the Pennsylvania Bar Associations. He was admitted to practice before the Courts of Common Pleas, all Pennsylvania Appellate Courts and Federal Courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Attorney Robinson was a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and numerous other professional organizations. He previously served as Solicitor for the County of Butler and was past local counsel for the former Armco Steel and Mellon Bank. At the time of his passing, he was solicitor for Diane Marburger, Treasurer of Butler County. Attorney Robinson's proudest professional accomplishment was the creation of the Vogeley Memorial Scholarship Fund and he served as a Trustee for the Fund from its formation up to the time of his death. The Vogeley Scholarship, as it is commonly known, is awarded annually to qualified Butler Area High School graduating students for full payment of their post-secondary education tuition expenses. Attorney Robinson served as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corp as a meteorologist during the World War II era. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and the Butler Country Club, as well as an annual Buyer of lamb at the Butler County 4-H Auction for the benefit of youth. He took great pride in his family and his home, especially the numerous landscaping projects he completed over the years. Surviving are four daughters: Judy A. Bush (Harry) of Ligonier, PA, Adaire Miller (John) of Lake Oswego, OR, Claudia Robinson of Baltimore, MD, and Patricia Robinson of Greeley, CO; and a son, William C. "Wink" Robinson, Jr. Esquire (Suzanne) of Butler, PA, with whom he practiced law since 1989. Also being survived by 13 grandchildren, Brian Miller, Esq., Scott Miller, Kelly Weisner, Joan Robinson, Esq., Megan Bush, Melissa Fogel, Julia Frey, Liza Bair, Hillary Robinson Frey, Katherine Oster, Adaire Robinson, William C. Robinson III, and Berkeley B. Robinson; 2 great grandchildren, Brady Miller and Ava Jane Weisner; a brother, John Adair Robinson of Saratoga, NY; and a sister, Mary Louise Adsit of South Burlington, VT. Attorney Robinson was preceded in death by his wife, Joan H. (Henninger) Robinson who died June 24, 1998 and a brother. Private services and burial arranged by Young Funeral Home, Ltd., Butler, PA. Contributions may be made in memory of William C. Robinson to the Theodore K. Vogeley Memorial Scholarship, c/o Mellon, 500 Grant St., Suite 3825, One Mellon Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15258-0001.