Death of leading legal stalwart

Bill Rutherford had shining career

Published:

A SHERIFF who once covered the Highlands and founded a legal firm has died, aged 91.

Bill Rutherford, who was originally from Moray, died on Monday in Aberdeen.

Born at Forres in 1916, he attended Forres Academy then studied at Aberdeen University where he graduated with a law degree.

He served his apprenticeship before World War II intervened.

He volunteered for the Royal Signals and joined the 51st Highland Division, but was captured with other prisoners of war and held in Silesia in central Europe for the duration of the war.

During his captivity, Mr Rutherford had to work down the coal mines and in one incident he faced solitary confinement for helping an Australian to escape by swapping identities.

Following the war, he met Jean and the couple married in 1949.

He enjoyed a distinguished legal career and founded Christie, Buthlay and Rutherford which, following a series of amalgamations, now forms part of the Raeburn, Christie, Clark and Wallace firm.

During his life he was also president of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen, a chairman of industrial tribunals and a sheriff of Grampian, Highland and Islands.

He was also session clerk of the St Nicholas Kirk and had a keen interest in sport and agriculture.

Mr Rutherford is survived by Jean, 84, of Mannofield, Aberdeen, and the couple’s three children Jean, Joyce and George.