Volume 14, Issue 2
Winter 2003
Senior Lawyer News
A Remembrance
In high school, Bill Moffett exhibited the qualities of leadership that characterized his life. Later, at Virginia Tech, he was captain of his R.O.T.C. company, president of the Corps of Cadets, chairman of The Honor Court, and member of Omicron Delta Kappa leadership fraternity.
Upon graduating from The University of Virginia Law School in 1936, Bill opened his law office in Staunton. He rapidly developed an excellent general practice that continued for 19 years except for a tour of duty in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the Army in World War II, 1942-1946.
In 1955, he was appointed circuit court judge and served ably in that position until his retirement in 1983. Calm, courteous, and considerate, he had an ideal judicial temperament and presided over his court with fair-minded dignity. His strength of character shone in every aspect of his professional and personal life.
Bill served on the Virginia Tech board of visitors and received the Alumni Distinguished Service Award. It pleased him that both his sons and a grandson were Tech graduates. He and they were also active members of historic Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church.
Bill was an enthusiastic sportsman, an expert with shotgun and fly rod. After retiring from the bench, however, he devoted most of his energy to Annandale Farm where he and his devoted wife of 64 years, Cornelia, who predeceased him, entertained children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in ever increasing numbers. He loved his family and his native heath. Once, after a trip abroad, to Scotland perhaps, he told me that although he had enjoyed it, he would prefer to spend the rest of his life without ever leaving Augusta County. I am sure he would like it known that he very nearly realized this admirable desire.
George M. Cochran
Staunton, Virginia
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