Alvin Anderson

Alvin Anderson WILLIAMSBURG - Born Feb. 9, 1948, Alvin Anderson set off on a new adventure unexpectedly Nov. 28, 2008. A longtime resident of Williamsburg, Alvin graduated from The College of William and Mary in 1970, as an ROTC distinguished military graduate and accepted a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Continuing at William & Mary's Marshall-Wythe School of Law, Alvin earned his J.D. in 1972. Following graduation, he joined his uncle, Harper Anderson, in practice in Williamsburg. Later, he practiced with Anderson, Franck & Davis, P.C. which merged with Kaufman & Canoles, P.C. in 1999. Instrumental in establishing Kaufman's Williamsburg office, Alvin served as the managing partner until January 2008, as well as on the firm's executive committee. Additionally, he distinguished himself as the commissioner in Chancery for the Circuit Courts of the City of Williamsburg and County of James City, counties of New Kent, Charles City, King William and King and Queen, and special master in York County since 1975. Also, he served as commissioner of accounts for the Circuit Court of the City of Williamsburg and County of James City since 1988. Over the course of his 36-year legal career, Alvin specialized in estate matters and land use, and was a key player in the development of Williamsburg Landing and Quarterpath at Williamsburg. Despite his professional accomplishments, he would frequently remark, "I'm just a country lawyer." Alvin's civic commitment inspired all who knew him. Most recently, he sat on Riverside Health System's Board, as well as the Hampton Roads, Peninsula and Williamsburg boards of TowneBank. Alvin also served on the Board of Trustees for Hampton Roads Academy. Always very committed to William & Mary, he served as president of the William & Mary Alumni Society, a member of the Marshall-Wythe Law School Foundation Board, and sat on the college's Board of Visitors. In 1998, Alvin received the Alumni Medallion, the highest honor bestowed by the William & Mary Alumni Association, for his unwavering service and loyalty. Above all, Alvin was devoted to the women in his life. He met his wife, Betsy, during their freshman year at William & Mary. Married in 1969, they raised their two daughters, Mary Beth Sherwin and Sara Paris Huddleston. Mary Beth, a graduate of Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass., earned a J.D. at the Marshall-Wythe School of Law. Currently, she practices medical malpractice defense law as a partner with Kaufman & Canoles, P.C. Sara graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and earned her master's degree in education from Vanderbilt's Peabody School of Education. She currently works as the director of Human Resources for Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP, an accounting firm in Raleigh, N.C. Alvin treasured his daughters and savored being part of their journey into adulthood. He walked each of them down the aisle and danced at their weddings. He pushed and challenged them, but always reveled in sharing their adventures from near and far, and never shied from singing their praises. During their almost 40-year marriage, Alvin and Betsy were truly best of friends and lived their lives to the fullest. They enjoyed many adventures together, filling their passports with memories from around the world. Alvin always had a trip planned. He dreamt of sharing a safari to Tanzania and Zanzibar with his family, a dream he fulfilled in Dec. 2007 and Jan. 2008. He always looked forward to annual treks to South Dakota for dove hunting with guys, and still was sharing stories from his recent expedition in October. In addition to his wife and two daughters, Alvin is survived by his father, Dr. William Morris Anderson; brother, William Morris Anderson Jr.; sister, Anna Katharine Anderson; mother and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Philip S. Calvo Jr.; brother-in-law, Phillip S. Calvo III; sons-in-law, Tyler Sherwin and Byrne Huddleston; and other family and friends too numerous to count. He also leaves behind his beloved granddogs, Brie Sherwin and Otis Huddleston. His first non-furry grandchild will arrive in May. Alvin lived his life with zest and enthusiasm that was contagious; he never met a stranger. Adored and loved by his wife and daughters, he will be terribly missed. There never was a finer gentleman. Alvin once said, "I'm proud of two things in my life, one is my family and the other is my college. I told someone the other day, this makes me feel like the person my dog thinks I am." A memorial service is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Friday at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 215 Richmond Road. A reception will follow in the Virginia Room of the Williamsburg Lodge. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Alvin Anderson Fund for The William & Mary Alumni House, P.O. Box 2100, Williamsburg, VA 23187 or to the Alvin P. Anderson Scholarship at The William & Mary Law School, Marshall-Wythe School of Law Foundation, Attn: Sally Kellam, William & Mary Law School, P.O. Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187. Nelsen Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.