Sid Willens always loved to see his name in the newspaper —today not so much. On June 8, 2018, Sidney L. Willens, age 91, passed away peacefully and rejoined his beloved wife of 52 years, Lorraine, who died in 2005. A celebration of Sid’s remarkable life will be held at Temple Beth Torah, 6100 W. 127th, Overland Park, KS 66209 on Sunday, June 17, 2018, at 10 a.m. His longtime friend and advocate for social justice, Rabbi Mark Levin, will officiate. Private interment.
Born Dec. 13, 1926, in Kansas City, Missouri, the only child of Louis and Esther Willens, Sid earned his Eagle Scout at age 15, graduated Paseo High School at 16, became a “hard way” Sachem in the Tribe of Mic-o-Say at 17, served in World War II at 18, graduated the University of Kansas City School of Law at 21, married Lorraine at 25, and made partner at Tucker, Charno, Willens & Jouras at 29.
With these early achievements under his belt and with his mother Esther and wife Lorraine by his side for support and inspiration, Sid was ready to take on injustice wherever he found it.
Sid worked hard to become an attorney, but he was really a journalist at heart. A wordsmith, he typed his own one-page letters advocating his demands and recommendations for social and individual justice. Sid spared no expense when it came to postage, envelopes and photocopies. His carefully chosen words were addressed to the decision-makers, but his genius was in what he typed at the end of each letter: “cc: the press, news outlets and interested public citizens.” No elected or appointed official could take the chance of ignoring Sid’s letters without being held accountable by who knows whom. Combining that strategy with good ideas, concrete suggestions, and an attorney’s use of facts and persuasive arguments, Sid created substantial positive change for our community. With Sid, no committee was necessary to solve a problem. His power came only from being a private citizen without any desire for secondary political or financial gain.
While Sid’s accomplishments were many, one that was especially close to his heart was a personal one. In an amazing demonstration of “chutzpah,” creativity and perseverance, Sid, a Jew, turned an attempted “person-to-person” phone call to Pope John Paul II into a 1984 Vatican audience with his Eminence and his Catholic wife, Lorraine. The story appeared in newspapers worldwide.
Sid’s awards and honors are numerous, and Sid was not one to “toot his own horn” anyway. Still, his professional colleagues have honored him with, among others, the Missouri Bar President’s Award, the Missouri Bar’s Pro Bono Award, UMKC’s Law School Alumni Award, and UMKC’s Practitioner of the Year award. He wore the badge of “Hell-Raiser” with pride.
To those who knew Sid best, all truthfully marveled at his ability to balance and combine successful civic activism, the practice of law and being the greatest husband, father, son and provider anyone could wish for. Sid’s positive impact on so many people’s lives and in such individualized ways made for a life well-lived. No one could ask for or deserve a better legacy.
Sid is survived by his three children: Mark Willens (Cathy), Linda (Kevin) Myres, and Susan (Andy) Ortbals; and grandchildren Sara Glass, Aaron (Erin) Ortbals and their son, Jameson, Adam (Nadia) Glass, Rachel (Tom) Ryan, Brianna Ortbals, Elizabeth Willens, and Chloe Ortbals.
While a donation in Sid’s name would be welcome, he would prefer you find your own cause and spend your time and money fighting for it. To inspire you further, please view a documentary about him titled “The Hellraiser-The Legacy of Sid Willens, Activist Lawyer” that has been posted on YouTube at https://tinyurl.com/hpvceu6. Sid would be pleased knowing that he sparked in you a desire to raise a little hell of your own.