IN MEMORIAM
“ DOUGLAS WAS THE FIRST FULL-TIME BLACK JUDGE TO SERVE IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA. A TRUE TRAILBLAZER, DEVOTED PUBLIC SERVANT, AND STEADFAST MAN OF FAITH, HIS LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE, LEADERSHIP, AND SERVICE WILL CONTINUE TO INSPIRE GENERATIONS TO COME.”
Commission on Civil Rights from 1962-65. He served as assistant commonwealth’s attorney from 1969 to 1974. He was the first African American public defender in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the first Afri- can American appointed to the Ethics Committee. His commitment to justice, fair- ness, and integrity earned him widespread respect within the legal community and beyond. In January 1974, Douglas was elected presiding judge Fraternity awards bestowed to Douglas: • The Pillar of the Province Award • The Richmond (VA) Alumni Chapter’s Pillar Award • Special Recognition Award, • Eastern Province Meritorious Service Award • Habitat for Humanity Contributor’s Award • The Outstanding Brotherhood Award
of the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, becoming Virgin- ia’s first full-time African American judge and the first officially elected by the Virginia General Assembly. Douglas would also serve on the Virginia Supreme Court’s Ethics Committee, the first African American to be appointed to this role. A Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Douglas led on separate occasions (1967- 1969) and (1971-1972) as polemarch of the Richmond (VA) Alumni. For the chapter’s 50th anniversary celebration, the chapter commissioned him to write and present the formal history of the chapter. After his election to judge, Doug- las appeared on the cover of the May 1974 issue of the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal. In addition to Kappa Alpha Psi, Douglas was also
a member of numerous charitable, community, and professional orga- nizations, including the Big Brothers, Richmond Epilepsy Association, the American Bar Association, the Richmond Trial Law- yers Association, the Old Dominion Bar Association, and the United Methodist Church. Douglas was a member of the National Redevelopment Officers, where he was Vice Presi- dent for Commissioners of the National Association of Housing and Redevelop- ment Officials. His tireless efforts to improve housing opportunities in Rich- mond, VA, and nationwide earned him the admiration and gratitude of countless individuals and families. He served on the Board of Trustees at Ferrum College for ten years and Virginia Wesleyan College
for twenty years. He was a past president and trea- surer of the Virginia Black Methodists for Church Renewal, ensuring contin- ued progress for African Americans in the Meth- odist community. In 2016, the Virginia Council of Churches honored Douglas with its Lifetime Ecumen- ist Award, recognizing his devotion to interfaith collaboration and unity. Brother Williard H. Douglas, Jr., was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 62 years, Jane E. Douglas, and siblings Robert L. Douglas, Sr. (Hoagie), Joan D. Jordon (Charles), Gorell Douglas (Laura), and Ret. MSgt Earl Douglas (Roberta). He is survived by his son Willard, III; his daughter Wendelin; and a host of relatives, close friends, and colleagues. ♦
SPRING 2025 ♦ THE JOURNAL 75
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