William Leon Slaughter Sr.

Judge (Ret) William L. Slaughter, Sr. passed away Monday, May 2, 2016 at Columbus Hospice. A Funeral Service will be held 11:00am Thursday, May 5, 2016 at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2101 Wildwood Ave Columbus, GA 31906, with Dr. Shane Green officiating. A private burial will follow at Parkhill Cemetery. The family will receive friends 10:00 am Thursday in the Fellowship Hall of St. Paul United Methodist Church.

Judge Slaughter, son of the late Ada Ratliff and Joseph Guy Slaughter, was born July 21, 1926 in Columbus, GA. He was a 1943 graduate of Jordan High School. After graduation, Judge Slaughter served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy serving one tour during World War II from 1944-1946. He graduated from Middle GA Junior College in 1947, then graduating from Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in December of 1950. In January of 1950, Judge Slaughter began his private law practice serving the community of Columbus for 50 years. During his private law practice, Judge Slaughter served several other appointed positions including Assistant City Attorney in 1956 for one year, Recorders Court Judge beginning in 1963 until his retirement in 1990 and was appointed U.S. Magistrate for Middle District of GA in 1976 for over 30 years.

Judge Slaughter was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and was a member of the Wesley Sunday School Class. Previously he was a member of Rosehill Baptist Church where he taught the Adult Men’s Bible Class and served as a deacon. He was also a member of several organizations including the Kiwanis Club of Columbus, State Bar of Georgia, American Bar Association and Columbus Lawyers Club.

Other than his parents, Judge Slaughter is preceded in death by his wife, Sue and his brother, Joseph Guy Slaughter, Jr. He is survived by his son William L. Slaughter, Jr. (Leslie) of Columbus, GA; granddaughters Sarah Elizabeth Slaughter of New York, NY and Mary Hall deGraffenried Slaughter of Columbus, GA; sister Gloria Slaughter Rolling (Tommy) of Columbus, GA; one niece and two nephews.

Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2101 Wildwood Ave Columbus, GA 31906 or to Columbus Hospice at www.columbushospice.org.