Bill Text: VA SR36 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of the Honorable Willard James Moody, Sr.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-2)
Status: (Passed) 2020-02-27 - Bill text as passed Senate (SR36ER) [SR36 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-SR36-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Honorable Willard James Moody, Sr., an honorable veteran, distinguished attorney, esteemed statesman, and beloved member of the Portsmouth community, died on March 27, 2019; and
WHEREAS, a member of the "Greatest Generation," Willard Moody proudly served the United States Army in Europe during World War II; and
WHEREAS, upon his return, Willard Moody earned degrees from the Norfolk Division of The College of William and Mary, now Old Dominion University, and the University of Richmond's School of Law; and
WHEREAS, embarking upon a law career in 1952, Willard Moody would practice until the end of his life and earn many honors and distinctions along the way; his legacy is The Moody Law Firm in Portsmouth, which today is recognized as one of the nation's leading firms for injured railroad workers and accident liability lawsuits; and
WHEREAS, serving as counsel for nearly every railroad workers union in the country, Willard Moody earned a sterling reputation for his ability to win cases on behalf of his clients; in recognition of his success, he was inducted into the National Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame in 2014, the only Virginian to have received this distinction; and
WHEREAS, as the Commissioner in Chancery and the Commissioner of Accounts for the Portsmouth Circuit Court, Willard Moody contributed greatly to the proper and equitable administration of justice in his community; and
WHEREAS, a born leader, Willard Moody served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1956 to 1967 and in the Senate of Virginia from 1968 through 1984; over nearly three decades in public office, he never lost an election; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as a state lawmaker, Willard Moody introduced and supported many important pieces of legislation to benefit all Virginians and offered his leadership and expertise to several standing committees; and
WHEREAS, Willard Moody proved a steadfast supporter of the legal profession through membership in several attorneys' associations, such as the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, which he served as president in 1973; and
WHEREAS, one of Willard Moody's proudest accomplishments in a remarkably illustrious life was his establishment of the Railroad Museum of Virginia in his hometown of Portsmouth, a destination that will promote greater interest in and understanding of railroads and trains for years to come; and
WHEREAS, inspired by his faith to serve others with compassion and humility, Willard Moody was a member of Park View Baptist Church in Portsmouth, where he enjoyed fellowship and worship with his community and taught Sunday school; and
WHEREAS, Willard Moody will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 71 years, Betty; his children, Sharon, Willard, Jr., and Paul, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Honorable Willard James Moody, Sr., who had a profound and positive impact on countless lives as a veteran, attorney, statesman, and friend; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Honorable Willard James Moody, Sr., as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.
