Individual Details

William James Samford, Jr., -- attorney and member of the Auburn University Board of Trustees has died. He was 53. Mr. Samford passed away in Auburn, AL, December 29, 2003. Funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Opelika at 11AM Friday, January 2, 2004. Burial will follow at Rosemere Cemetery. Mr. Samford was preceded in death by his parents, William James Samford and Evlyn Barnett Samford. He is survived by his sister, Lucinda Samford Cannon of Opelika and a nephew, Edmund Rasha Cannon of Charlottesville, VA. He is also survived by children, Tyler, Morgan and Hudson Rehm. Mr. Samford was born February 4, 1950 in Opelika, AL and he lived in Montgomery for many years. He was a graduated from Opelika High School in 1968. In 1972, he received a BA degree in political science from Auburn University where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Mr. Samford was a cadet in the Auburn University ROTC and upon graduation was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He served three years in the 4756 Avionics Maintenance Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, FL. After completing his tour of duty, Mr. Samford attended the University of Alabama School of Law. He was admitted to the Alabama Bar in 1978. Mr. Samford worked with the Litigation Division of the FDIC in Washington, DC for several years before returning in 1980 to Alabama to become president of the Alabama Public Service Commission. He moved from that position to work as Legal Advisor to Governor Fob James. He established his private law practice in 1983. He was a member of the Alabama Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Mr. Samford was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Opelika for his entire life. He was an active member of the Board of the United Methodist Church Homes for the Aging. Mr. Samford proudly served as a Trustee to Auburn University since his appointment in 1987. He served as President of Pro Tempore of the Board of Trustees for five years. In recognition of his love of baseball and his personal contribution to the Auburn baseball program, Auburn University named the baseball facility the W. James Samford Stadium in his honor. Visitation will be Thursday, January 1, 2004 at 302 North Ninth Street, Opelika, from 6PM-8PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to First United Methodist Church (W. James Samford Fund), 702 Avenue A., Opelika, AL 36801 or the United Methodist Church Homes for the Aging, 1520 Cooper Hill Road, Birmingham, AL 35210. Pallbearers are: Bill Blount, Jim Sullivan, Bill Whatley, Bob Geddie, Pooker Robertson, Phil Adams, Mike Burgee and Doug Horn. Honorary pallbearers are past and present members of the Auburn University Board of Trustees, The President and the Administration of Auburn University, Syd McDonald, Hinton Mitchem and Jim Folsom. Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home will direct the service.
Published by Press-Register on Jan. 1, 2004.

Birth	4 Feb 1950	Opelika, Lee County, Alabama
Death	29 Dec 2003	Auburn, Lee County, Alabama
Burial	2 Jan 2004	Rosemere Cemetery, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama

Father	William James Samford (1900 - 1967)
Mother	Evlyn Barnett (1911 - 1999)
Sibling	Living

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