Justice Henry Hudson Whiting

1923 - 2012

Justice Henry Hudson Whiting, 89, of Frederick County, Virginia, died peacefully on Monday, September 17, 2012.

Justice Whiting was born July 20, 1923 in Colorado and was the son of the late Lt. Col. Edgar Mason Whiting and Helen Hudson Whiting.

In 1934, his family moved to Winchester, Virginia and Justice Whiting was based there the remainder of his life. He graduated from John Handley High School (Class of 1941) and attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute for one year before enlisting in the U.S. Army shortly after the outbreak of World War II. Justice Whiting served in various stateside postings and then in the European Theatre. In 1946, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain.

Upon leaving the Army, Whiting entered the University of Virginia and graduated with great distinction from the UVA law school in 1949. He returned to Winchester and entered into the practice of law with J. Sloan Kuykendall. Lewis Costello joined them later and their firm went on to become the largest law practice in Winchester.

After 31 years in private practice, Whiting was appointed in 1980 to the 26th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. In 1987, he was elected by the Virginia Legislature to serve on the Supreme Court of Virginia. He was the first member of the Court from the Winchester-Frederick County area in over 100 years.

Whiting served on the Court until he stepped down to semi-retired status in 1995. Justice Whiting continued to serve the Court actively in this Senior Justice capacity until 2002. After his full retirement, he focused his considerable energies on family, friends, gardening, exercise and especially on enjoying the company of his children and grandchildren.

Surviving are two sons, Brian Whiting of Mercer Island, Washington, and John Whiting of Winchester, Virginia; two grandchildren, Owen and Flora Whiting, both of Mercer Island, Washington; sister, Meta Lytle of Seattle, Washington; and his brother, Jim Whiting of Richmond, Virginia.

Five brothers, Carlyle, Edgar, Richard, William and Beverly preceded him in death.

A memorial service and reception will be held beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2012, at the First Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Loudoun Street, Winchester VA 22601. http://firstchurch-winchester.org

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Winchester Virginia 22601 http://www.blueridgehospice.org or First Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Loudoun Street, Winchester VA 22601. http://firstchurch-winchester.org

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