R.I.P. Chancellor William Willard
November 27, 2019 § 3 Comments
Chancellor Willard of Clarksdale, was retired Chancellor of the 7th District.
Reportedly died when he suffered a heart attack while scuba diving with his family in the Caymans on November 25, 2019.
The official MSSC press release:
Retired Chancellor William G. Willard Jr. of Clarksdale died Nov. 25 while vacationing with his family in the Cayman Islands. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Meredeth Nowell Funeral Home in Clarksdale is handling arrangements.
Judge Willard retired from the bench in December 2010 after serving 12 years as Chancellor of the 7th Chancery District that includes Bolivar, Coahoma, Leflore, Quitman, Tallahatchie and Tunica counties. He returned to private law practice in Clarksdale. Before his service as chancellor, he served for nine and one-half years as Clarksdale Municipal Judge. He also served on the Bar Complaints Tribunal.
The Better Chancery Practice Blog 
I was very sad to hear of William’s tragic death. William and I began law school together as military veterans in the summer of 1972. We virtually had straight classes together for the first two years. William was honest, smart, considerate, patriotic and loyal. William was a faithful Christian and loving father and husband. It was always a pleasure to be in his company. May God give his family peace.
Having known him as family as long as I can remember. I can say without the slightest hesitation, William Willard was the most honorable and Christian man I have ever known. I am forever honored to have known and loved him! True Southern Gentleman!
Judge William Willard was the first Judge to make me feel like an officer of the Court… like he had faith and trust in me, and attorneys in general. That gave a baby lawyer much needed confidence. When he retired he told me the most important thing to remember in Chancery practice was “Service, Service, Service! Make sure everyone is properly served!”