Attorney Dee Wampler dies

Longtime criminal defense attorney Dee Wampler has died.

Wampler, 81, died this morning in his sleep, said John Scroggins, a spokesperson for Wampler & Passanise Law Office PC. Wampler was in St. Louis working on a trial and was staying at The Ritz-Carlton, Scroggins said, adding a cause of death has not yet been determined.

After serving in the U.S. Army, Wampler started his more than five-decade law career as prosecuting attorney in Greene County. He made the switch to criminal defense in 1973, and at the time of his death was leading Wampler & Passanise Law Office with business partner Joseph Passanise.

Wampler had a storied career, with cases including the successful prosecution of the 1970 incident involving an 18-wheeler that exploded after a shot was fired into it along Interstate 44. His more recent work has included defense for former City Councilperson Kristi Fulnecky’s battle over her eligibility to serve in public office, Springfield Business Journal previously reported.

Prior to his death, Wampler had a succession plan in the works. He told SBJ in 2017 he planned to sell the firm to Passanise at an unspecified time. Scroggins said the law firm had not changed hands prior to Wampler’s death, and Passanise could not be reached for comment by deadline.

Springfield Mayor Ken McClure this morning issued a statement on Wampler's impact.

"The community has lost a generous, community-minded man with the passing of attorney Dee Wampler. He was a courtroom mainstay for more than 50 years," McClure said in the statement. "His long list of pro bono activities and support of important community causes will certainly frame his legacy here in the Ozarks."