News Press Room Articles William "Bill" Just, J.D. (1940 - 2008) Former AMI Executive Director
| William "Bill" Just, J.D. (1940 - 2008) Former AMI Executive Director |
 William “Bill” Just died in Atlanta on Friday, December 19, 2008 after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 68 years old.Bill was president and CEO of Total Association Management Services Inc. (TAMS), a multi-client association management company which he founded in 1985. Under Bill’s leadership and direction, TAMS served as the Association Management Company for the AMI from 1990 to 2002, the year Bill retired. As Executive Director of the AMI, Bill was a dynamic force for the Association as well as the medical illustration profession. A number of important accomplishments spearheaded by Bill include the establishment of the AMI Certification Program, and laying the ground-work to support the emergence of the Illustrators Partnership of America (IPA) among other important advocacy programs. Bill excelled at managing details, and will be remembered by those who served on the AMI Board of Directors and Officers as the individual who took copious notes and ever so quickly drafted meeting minutes and post-meeting Charges for Officers and Committee Chairs. He was a master of Parliamentary procedure and guided us all with great attention and passion. In particular, Bill loved people. He enjoyed time with both old and new friends at AMI meetings and functions, and his generous and accommodating spirit never waned. Bill will be remembered for the great passion and positive energy he brought to all things he undertook. AMI members recall Bill’s valiant and graceful battle with cancer in 2000, which he fought with humor and humanity, returning to work for the AMI as soon as he was able. In addition to serving as Executive Director of the AMI, Bill also served as the Executive Director for the BioCommunications Association (BCA). He founded and served as Executive Vice President for two professional associations, the Association for Convention Operations Management and the Association for Convention Marketing Executives. Bill was a founder and an inaugural recipient of the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation administered by the Convention Industry Council. Throughout his career, he was a strong advocate for this program and actively taught and mentored hundreds of candidates for this professional designation. In recognition of his contributions to the advancement of convention services management and on the 10th anniversary of the founding of ACOM, he was nominated for and was inducted into the CIC Hall of Leaders, one of the highest recognitions in the meetings and conventions industry. A full obituary appeared in the December 28, 2008 edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution which may be viewed at www.ajc.com or www.legacy.com. Additionally, there will be a memorial service during the first quarter of 2009. Following his retirement in 2002, Bill was an active volunteer in the Pet Therapy Program with the Atlanta Humane Society. Bill is survived by his domestic partner of over twenty years Martin (Marty) J. Sargent, his loving family and many dear friends. Memorial contributions may be made to the Atlanta Humane Society, 981 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30318 or to Hospice Atlanta, 1244 Park Vista Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30319. A celebration of the Life of Bill Just will be scheduled in April 2009. Details will be communicated as soon as they are made available.  Download PDF of Obituary Download the Original Article The original article, in Bill's own words, describing his condition in 2000, appeared in the May/June 2000 issue of AMI Newsletter. |
