Stephen H. Biller
Born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1940, Stephen H. Biller passed away at home on November 27, 2022, surrounded by his loving family and golden-lab.
Stephen is survived by his wife, Margaret, of 60 years, his children Caroline Biller Bernstein, Jonathan Biller, Daniel Biller (Tara), his grandchildren Sophie Bernstein, Emily Bernstein, Andrew Biller, Jonah Biller, and Macie Biller. Stephen is also survived by extended family Bonnie and Sam Nickol, Harold and Julie Ceitlin and their families.
After graduating Boston University School of Law, Stephen was recruited by the National Labor Relations Board in Memphis and subsequently joined the practice of Goodman Glazer as a litigation attorney. He then joined Heiskell, Donelson, Adams, Bearman, Williams, and Kirsch, now Baker Donelson, as a partner earning a reputation as an expert in civil litigation and all aspects of Labor and Employment law. Stephen later practiced with trusted colleagues at The Bogatin Law Firm and The Biller Law Firm. A passionate pursuer of truth, justice, and holding honor above all, Stephen established precedent in multiple state and federal landmark cases. He loved the practice of law.
Stephen strived to leave the world a better place and those whose lives he touched would agree, he succeeded multiple times over. Regardless of life challenges or obligations set before him, Stephen always put his family first, setting aside any and everything for family needs, both monumental and incidental. Stephen acted with humility and respect for others. He was a learned listener, deeply connecting with others through subtle intuition and careful word choices. In turn, Stephen earned the respect, admiration, and love of all, even so-called adversaries and opposing legal counsel with whom he interacted.
He lived his values by serving the community as a civil servant, most recently as Commissioner of the Memphis Civil Service Commission. He was a writer, lecturer and educator. As a leader in the legal and Jewish communities, Stephen served as Trustee and Chairman of the Tennessee Bar Foundation, Fellow on the American Bar Foundation, President of the Southern Jewish Historical Society, a Temple Israel Board Member, and numerous other roles of both named and unnamed importance.
Stephen found joy and respite in the outdoors, gardening, hiking, and on the water, especially with his golden-lab retriever, Viva, as well as his loving family. He was a voracious reader and lifelong learner with a deep fascination of history.
Stephen’s friends and family are immensely proud of his legacy: putting truth, honor, justice, and integrity in every action. We are heartbroken, fortunate, lucky, and grateful to have had our beloved husband and Daddy lead and care for our family.
Even more than purple flowers, Stephen cared for philanthropic efforts to improve access to legal education for the less fortunate. If you wish, please contribute to The Tennessee Bar Foundation, the Low-cost Veterinary Clinic at the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County, or Temple Israel in his memory.