William Rhea Shelton

The Honorable William R. Shelton, 91, of Chester, VA, died July 14, 2024. Born and raised in Pennington Gap, VA, he was the son of the late Carl and Margaret Shelton.

Judge Shelton graduated from Emory and Henry University in 1954, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. He signed with the Phillies Farm Team in Saltville, VA, before attending T.C. Williams Law School, class of 1957. After law school, Judge Shelton served in the Army, where he did legal work in Washington, D.C. and Defense General Supply Center in Richmond, VA. Upon his discharge, he served in the Commonwealth Attorney's Office in Chesterfield County and was Clerk of the Circuit Court in 1962. Judge Shelton practiced law at the firms of Jewett and Gates and then Williams, Mullen and Christian. He was appointed judge to the Chesterfield General District Court in 1966, and was appointed Circuit Judge to the 12th Judicial District in 1986, where he served until his retirement in 2003. But he didn't quit there. He served as a substitute judge and officiated settlement conferences until the age of 90.

Judge Shelton was a lifelong athlete. He was an avid pilot, golfer, hunter, skier, and tennis player. He was very good at all of them, and shared these passions with his children and friends. He taught his children and took them to play as often as they liked. He was still skiing the Rockies at 87. He hunted, played golf, and tennis until the age of 90. His children and grandchildren got to take full advantage of his longevity. He was just a lot of fun to do these things with.

Judge Shelton was a longtime member of Kinloch and Meadowbrook Country Clubs, serving numerous times as the President of Meadowbrook Country Club. He was a member of the Chester United Methodist Church, where he served on the committee that built the current sanctuary. He also served on the Board of Visitors at Emory and Henry University.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Linda Merle Shelton; his two brothers, R.C. "Snook" Shelton and Charles "Jack" Shelton; and his two sisters, Theda Mae McConnell and Ruth S. Akridge.

Judge Shelton is survived by his son, William Rhea Shelton (Angel); his son, Peyton Ward Shelton (Stephanie); and his daughter, Martha Merle Shelton (Scott Saunders); grandchildren, Taylor Lariviere (Yannic), Trey Shelton, and Mackenzie Nicol (Grayson); and his great-grandchildren, Ada Merle Lariviere and Wesley Nicol. Judge Shelton is also survived by his companion of 20 years, Carolyn Leake; and nephew, Buzz Akridge.

We would like to thank Ann Sisson for caring for our father during the last several weeks of his life.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m., on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Chester United Methodist Church. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., on Friday, July 19, 2024, at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Chester United Methodist Church, 12132 Percival St., Chester, VA 23831.