William Josiah Neville

(February 11, 1923 – September 15, 2016)

William Josiah Neville, a native of Statesboro, Georgia, died Thursday, September 15, 2016, at his home, “Silverbrook,” in Bulloch County. He was the fourth of five children born to William Gesmon Neville and Marguerite Nunnally Neville. He grew up in Statesboro in a home on South Main Street and, later, on the family farm where the Lodge at Bethany is now located.

After graduating from high school, Judge Neville entered the United States Army prior to World War II. He was a veteran of the China-Burma-India Theater. He retired from the Georgia National Guard with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after more than 20 years of service.

A graduate of the Walter F. George School of Law, Class of 1949, at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, Judge Neville returned to Statesboro and practiced law as Neville and Neville with his father, until his father’s death in August 1965. He continued the practice of law in Statesboro; and, in 1969, Reba Jacobs joined him in the practice. She later became his wife, in December 1975, and they practiced together until his appointment in April 1984 as Judge of the Superior Court of the Ogeechee Circuit. He retired in 1996 and served as a Senior Judge until his death. He held the position of Judge of the Municipal Court of Statesboro for 31 years. He also served as the attorney for the Bulloch County Board of Education, and served for many years as the attorney for Bulloch County. He was a State Representative to the General Assembly of the State of Georgia in the 1950s.

Judge Neville supported and loved his community. He served as a member of the B. A. “Snag” Johnson Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Dexter Allen Post 90 of the American Legion, and as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Statesboro until his death. He also served as the President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He frequently and willingly served as a participant in local veterans’ celebrations and as a speaker to clubs and audiences about issues near and dear to his heart including the law, the Constitution, and World War II. For many years, Judge Neville was a member of and teacher for the Harmony-Fellowship-Bowen Men’s Sunday School Class at the Statesboro First Baptist Church.

Judge Neville was predeceased by his parents; his brother CDR William Gesmon Neville, Jr.; his twin sisters, Jessica Stafford Neville Karp and Marguerite Nunnally Neville Guin; and his granddaughter, Dr. Shannon Neville Houghton.

Judge Neville is survived by his wife of 40 years, Reba Beasley Jacobs Neville; his sons by his first union (Beverly Newton Neville): William Josiah (Bette) Neville, Jr., of Claxton; Richard McArthur Neville; James Ross Neville; Jeffrey Craig Neville, all of Statesboro; and Douglas (Laurie) Jacobs, of ¬¬¬Apollo Beach, Florida. Judge Neville is also survived by his sister, Dr. Sara Lenora Neville Bennett of Statesboro and by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation for Judge Neville will be on Friday, September 23, 2016, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Hodges-Moore Funeral Home in Statesboro. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2016, at 3 p.m. in the chapel of the Statesboro First Baptist Church with a reception to follow in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dream Foundation, Gentiva Hospice, 1525 Fair Road, Statesboro, Georgia 30458 or to the First Baptist Church of Statesboro or to the charity of your choice.