William Charles Fugate

William Charles Fugate JONESVILLE, Va. Honorable Judge William Charles Fugate, age 79, passed away Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, at his home in Jonesville. He was a lifelong resident of Lee County, Va. He was born Sept. 3, 1931, to Ray P. and Bess Parkey Fugate in Gibson Station, Va. Judge Fugate was a graduate of Thomas Walker High School in 1946; graduate of Lincoln Memorial University in 1953; and a graduate of the T.C. Williams School of Law of Richmond in 1957 in the top 10% of his class with honors. Judge Fugate loved to fly in his college years. He obtained his pilot's license after graduating LMU by working at the Middlesboro Airport. He traded his love for flying for weekends at the lake with his family and friends after he married and started his family. He enjoyed golf and was an avid reader. He began his career in Jonesville, opening a private law office in 1957. He served in the House of Delegates in 1958 and 1959. He was elected Commonwealth's Attorney and took office on Jan. 1, 1960. He resigned his office after three years to become District Court Judge in April of 1963. William served his community in many ways throughout his life. He served on the Judicial Council for 16 years and was chosen by Chief Justice Carrico to represent the council statewide and abroad, he spent three weeks in Italy representing Virginia. He served five years on the committee of District Courts. He retired at the age of 66 due to physical health problems. After several back surgeries, Chief Justice Carrico asked him to resume the bench on the recall list. He worked an additional three years, hearing cases west of Roanoke. Judge Fugate served his community in many different areas. He was first chairman of the Lee County Airport in Pennington Gap, Va. He served on the MECC board as chairman, turning the first shovel of dirt in it's construction in 1972. He served on the state board of colleges for many years and was awarded the first Honorary Degree at MECC. He served on the board for the Appalachia School of Law, in Grundy, Va. He and his wife served on the board of directors at The Peoples Bank of Ewing for many years. He was presented an award inducting him into the Professional Hall of Fame in October 2007 at LMU. He was presented with many resolutions and awards in Lee, Scott, and Wise Counties too numerous to mention. Judge Fugate was preceded in death by his parents, Ray P. and Bess Parkey Fugate; two uncles, Nathaniel G. Fugate of Middlesboro, Ky., and Ikey Parkey of Ewing, Va. Surviving are: his loving wife of 53 years, Jean Burton Fugate of Jonesville; two daughters, Elisabeth Ann Fugate of Johnson City, Tenn., and Alice Fugate Legard and husband, Tony of Bristol Virginia; one son, Charlie Fugate and wife, Lisa of Abingdon, Va. He also leaves five grandchildren, Jacqueline Rae Legard, Julia Elizabeth Legard, William C. Fugate II, Nathaniel G. Fugate, and Nicholas B. Fugate; and three cousins, Robert J. "Bob" Parkey, Sue Rosenbalm, and Doris Stiles. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to a wonderful "team" of caregivers, Belinda Scott, Rosemary Scott, Deb Barber, Chasity Barber, Clara Sumpter, Tammy Miller, Lee Tan, Independent Home Health, and Mountain Region Home Health. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the First United Methodist Church in Jonesville. Funeral services will be conducted at 4 p.m. Sunday at the church with the Rev. Layne Pennington officiating. A private burial will follow. Pallbearers will be friends from the Lee County Bar Association. Honorary pallbearers will be Sonny Martin, Sammie Horton, Beverly Anderson, Sheriff Gary Parsons, Judge Tammy McElyea, Belinda Scott, and Retired State and Federal Judges of the 30th Circuit Courts of Lee County and the Constitutional Officers of Lee County. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jonesville First United Methodist Church, of which he attended his adult life. Online condolences may be left for the Fugate family at www.arney-mullinsfuneralhomes. com. Arney-Mullins Funeral Home of Jonesville, Va., is serving the Fugate family.