Judge Willard H. Chason

July 16, 2014

 

Services for Judge Willard Henry Chason, 89, of Cairo, Georgia, will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, July 19, 2014, at First United Methodist Church, Cairo.  Bert Kostedt and Rev. Whit Byram will officiate.  Services will conclude at the church.  Interment will be in Piedmont Cemetery, Calvary, Georgia.  Judge Chason passed away at Archbold Memorial Hospital, Thomasville, Georgia, on Wednesday, July 16, 2014.

Active pallbearers will be his grandsons and nephews.  Honorary pallbearers will be members of Aldersgate-Fellowship Sunday School Class, United National Bank Directors and Matt McCaskill.

Judge Chason was born on Aug. 26, 1924, in the Calvary community of Grady County, to the late Arthur and Maggie Harrison Chason. He attended the Calvary School, graduating from Cairo High School in 1940. He served his country in the United States Navy from 1943 – 1946.  He graduated from Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University, Cum Laude in 1950.  He was president of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.

Judge Chason began his practice of law in Cairo in 1950.  He was appointed by Governor George Busbee as Judge of Superior Courts for the South Georgia Judicial Circuit in 1982, and served in that position through 1996.  He was appointed Senior Judge of Superior Courts of Georgia in 1997.  He was Solicitor for City Court of Grady County 1959 – 1966;  County Attorney for Grady County 1960 – 1977, and 1981 – 1982; and Past-president of Georgia Association of County Attorneys.  He was past-Judge Advocate for American Legion Post 122; Past-president of Cairo Rotary Club (perfect attendance for over 50 years); past Chairman of Brookwood School Board of Trustees and past President of Cairo-Grady County Chamber of Commerce.  He was a founding Director of United National Bank.  He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Cairo,  and taught Sunday School for over 50 years.

He married Carolyn Herring Chason, who survives, on July 18, 1954.

Survivors also include his children, Brian Chason of Calvary, Georgia, Claire Chason (Al Harrell) of Cairo, Kevin Chason (Mary) of Cairo, Celeste Tyler (Chuck Tyler) of Cairo; grandchildren, Austin Tyler, Sarah Chason, Phillip Chason, and Natalie Tyler all of Cairo.

Judge Chason was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Adele C. Whitfield (and husband J.W.), Doris Chason, twin Wilsie C. Kostedt (and husband Don), Helen C. Bishop (and husband Gene), and Eris C. Carper.

Memorials may be made in memory of Judge Chason to: First United Methodist Church, 318 South Broad St., Cairo, GA, 39828, and Roddenbery Memorial Library, 320 N. Broad St., Cairo, GA, 39828.

The family will receive friends at First United Methodist Church fellowship hall on Friday, July 18, 2014, from 6 until 8:00 p.m.

Clark Funeral Home of Cairo is in charge of arrangements.