TBA Law Blog

TBA Law Blog

Services Set for Tennessee Lawyer, Legislator

Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Apr 3, 2026
News Type: Passages

Services have been set for former Tennessee state legislator and retired lawyer William Roland "Bill" Bruce, who died March 21 at the age of 90. A memorial service and reception will be held at 4 p.m. EDT on April 18 at King of Peace Episcopal Church, 6230 Laurel Island Parkway, Kingsland, GA 31548. Donations may be given to the church or a charity of the donor’s choice. Bruce earned his law degree from the University of Virginia, and practiced law in Tennessee for 50 years. He began practicing in Memphis in 1959 with the law firm of Martin, Tate. He later hung out his own shingle and practiced solo until 1965. That year he and Donn Southern formed a partnership, which lasted until Southern became a judge in 1989. That firm ultimately became Bruce, Southern, Brandon & Regan. Bruce then joined the Nashville office of the law firm that ultimately would become Adams & Reese. He maintained "Special Counsel" status with the firm after retiring to Georgia. Bruce served in the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1966 and in the Tennessee Senate in 1968, where he was Senate majority leader and chair of the Senate Calendar and Rules Committee.

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