Individual Details
William James Samford II
(14 Mar 1936 - 4 Jun 2018)
March 14, 1936 - June 4, 2018 William James "Bill" Samford, II died on Monday, June 4, 2018 after a brief illness at Baptist South Hospital, in Montgomery, AL. He was 82 years old.
Bill was born on March 14, 1936 in Opelika, AL and except for a few years for education and military service was proud to call Opelika home for most of that 82 years.
He is survived by his wife, Nell Allen Samford; children: Mary Catherine Samford (Brenda Walker) of Ashville, NC; William Allen Samford (Jan) of Auburn, AL; his sister, Aileen Samford Walpole of John's Island, SC; as well as six grandchildren: Austin Samford Walker; Kristen Samford-Walker; Candace Samford-Walker; Haley Pugh Scheiblauer (Lane); Mitch Pugh (Kelly) and Peyton Pugh.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Drake Samford, Jr. and Aileen Maxwell Samford; his son Matthew Thomas Samford and his brother Thomas D. Samford, III.
Bill was educated in the public schools of Opelika and Christ Episcopal School, Arden, NC. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama. While there he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity. He also met and married in 1957 his wife of nearly 61 years, Nell Allen Samford who has been at his side every day until he drew his last breath.
After graduation, he was commissioned and served in the U.S. Army. After his military service ended they returned to Tuscaloosa and the University of Alabama School of Law. After graduation, in 1961 they moved back to Opelika where he joined the prestigious law firm of Samford and Samford with W.J. Samford, Sr. and Thomas D. Samford, III. He was the first "in house" lawyer for the Alabama Department of Youth Services, where he served for more than 30 years. He was also President of National Association of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and Support Personnel, where he served for two terms. He was a Paul Harris Fellow for the Rotarians and especially proud to belong to the golf group the 'Hustlers'. One of his most proud moments on the course, after playing for more than 60 years, he recently hit a hole in one. He was blessed with a beautiful voice and performed in college musicals, community chorales and church choirs.
He stepped into eternity as he lived, surrounded by his family. Interment will be held in the family plot of Old Rosemere Cemetery, Opelika, AL where he will rest with his, father, mother and son.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Opelika. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church of Opelika, 702 Avenue A, Opelika, AL 36801 or the charity of your choice. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directing.
Bill was born on March 14, 1936 in Opelika, AL and except for a few years for education and military service was proud to call Opelika home for most of that 82 years.
He is survived by his wife, Nell Allen Samford; children: Mary Catherine Samford (Brenda Walker) of Ashville, NC; William Allen Samford (Jan) of Auburn, AL; his sister, Aileen Samford Walpole of John's Island, SC; as well as six grandchildren: Austin Samford Walker; Kristen Samford-Walker; Candace Samford-Walker; Haley Pugh Scheiblauer (Lane); Mitch Pugh (Kelly) and Peyton Pugh.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Drake Samford, Jr. and Aileen Maxwell Samford; his son Matthew Thomas Samford and his brother Thomas D. Samford, III.
Bill was educated in the public schools of Opelika and Christ Episcopal School, Arden, NC. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama. While there he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity. He also met and married in 1957 his wife of nearly 61 years, Nell Allen Samford who has been at his side every day until he drew his last breath.
After graduation, he was commissioned and served in the U.S. Army. After his military service ended they returned to Tuscaloosa and the University of Alabama School of Law. After graduation, in 1961 they moved back to Opelika where he joined the prestigious law firm of Samford and Samford with W.J. Samford, Sr. and Thomas D. Samford, III. He was the first "in house" lawyer for the Alabama Department of Youth Services, where he served for more than 30 years. He was also President of National Association of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and Support Personnel, where he served for two terms. He was a Paul Harris Fellow for the Rotarians and especially proud to belong to the golf group the 'Hustlers'. One of his most proud moments on the course, after playing for more than 60 years, he recently hit a hole in one. He was blessed with a beautiful voice and performed in college musicals, community chorales and church choirs.
He stepped into eternity as he lived, surrounded by his family. Interment will be held in the family plot of Old Rosemere Cemetery, Opelika, AL where he will rest with his, father, mother and son.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Opelika. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church of Opelika, 702 Avenue A, Opelika, AL 36801 or the charity of your choice. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directing.
Events
Families
Spouse | Living |
Child | Living |
Child | Living |
Child | Matthew Thomas Samford (1964 - 1997) |
Father | Thomas Drake Samford Jr. (1905 - 1948) |
Mother | Mary Aileen Maxwell (1911 - 2002) |
Sibling | Thomas Drake Samford III (1934 - 2003) |
Sibling | Aileen Maxwell Samford (1941 - ) |
Notes
Marriage
William J SamfordSex Male
Age 21
Birth Year (Estimated) 1936
Father's Name Thomas D Samford
Mother's Name Mary Aileen Maxwell
Spouse's Name Nell Vickers Allen
Spouse's Sex Female
Spouse's Age 21
Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated) 1936
Spouse's Father's Name Vickers R Allen
Spouse's Mother's Name Caroline R Young
Marriage Date 15 Jun 1957
Marriage Place Election Precinct 29 Alabama City, Etowah, Alabama
Residence
William J II SamfordAlias: William J Samford
Second Alias: Wm Samford
Third Alias: Wm J Samford
Previous Residence: Opelika, Alabama 36801
Previous Residence Postal Code: 36801
Second Previous Residence Place: Dadeville, Alabama 36853
Third Previous Residence Place: Birmingham, Alabama 35259
Residence Date: 29 Oct 2007
Residence Place: Opelika, Lee, Alabama, United States
Residence Place (Original): Opelika, Alabama, United States
Birth Date: Mar 1936
Endnotes
1. Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q21F-CTQR.
2. United States Public Records, 1970-2009 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:29MP-MVH.
3. Find a Grave Memorial 190399657.