So sorry to learn of Walter’s passing.  His intelligence, his ability to convey complex matters in simple terms, his kindness and his fantastic sense of humor were much appreciated at Marshall-Wythe and at many reunions in Williamsburg.

Sincere condolences to his family; treasure your memories.

Ellen M. Kraft (JD class of ‘83)

To Kay, Joe, Shep and Family. My deepest sympathy to all in the passing of your beloved husband, dad, and all others who knew his love. I will always respectfully adore and remember Walter because of his kind gentle spirit. Kay Joe and Shep, I will hold you in my heart and prayers. I Ioved his Suffolk accent--totally Virginia.  🥰And can hear him now as I remember him. Blessings ❤🙏🏽

My deepest sympathy to Kay and family. Walter was a prince of a guy. My fondest memory of him was the head of the Commonwealth Attorney's Training Council which culminated in the annual meeting at the Cavalier in Virginia Beach. He organized and played in the tennis tournament, the golf tournament, the hospitality suite where many stories were told  and even lined up the Rhondells for our listening pleasure. Walter was the glue that held that altogether. He will be missed. Jeff Fairbanks

Walter thank you for staying in touch for all these years. What an amazing life you lived. You’ve touched so many people. Kay, thank you for your kindness - we had a ball visiting with you. If you need us. We’re just an email or call away. Please take care

Jim &Kazue

Thanks to you and Kay for your friendship, your hospitality, and for keeping in touch all these years, We had a ball visiting with you guys.
Kay, if you need us - we’re just an e-mail away. Please take care.

Jim & Kazue

Walter Felton was a good friend to us at Suffolk Christian Church. I would regularly receive very friendly handwritten notes offering his continuing love and support of our church. A man of class. I shall miss him very much. May he rest in well-deserved peace.
Rev. Michael D. Halley, Pastor of Suffolk Christian Church 1996-2021.

I adored Walter, worked with him years ago when I was on the Crime Commission staff.  He took over my desk during GA session, and guided me through testifying before Chairman Hardaway Marks and the House Courts of Justice Committee.  He was a treasure, and unfailingly kind.  He will be missed and remembered.  Dana Schrad, Executive Director, Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. 

We send our sincere sympathy to the Felton family. Walter was such a smart, fun person to know while growing up in Suffolk. It is hard to believe he is no longer with us. Our last time together was shared with our mutual friend Jimmy Russell.  The University of Richmond guys really valued their good friends. May your memories bring you comfort.

Kay, Sorry for your loss! Thinking of you with love!
Margarette Francis Kennerly


Judge Felton was a favorite professor at William and Mary and I had the good fortune to work for him the summer after my first year. He was kind, funny and always available to offer advice, encouragement or career assistance during and long after the law school years.  May his memory be a blessing to his family and all who knew and loved him.

We are saddened by the loss of our dear cousin, but happy that he joins my Daddy in Heaven. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers!

Angie Felton Salerno and family
(Daughter of Alan L. Felton, Suffolk, VA)

Dear Kay,

When Walter married our families together, we not only got a wonderful daughter-in-law but we got you and Walter in the bargain.  We cherish the family celebrations and dinners we have  had together.   We will remember Walter as a great individual:  wise, brilliant, funny and ever so kind.  His light has left our world too soon!

Walter and I lived literally and figuratively in very different worlds, rarely saw each other - but it was always easy to reconnect. God bless you,  RIP my brother.  Jim Rogers

Cassie - You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. As part of your Anthem team  I want to extend my deepest sympathies. I loved hearing a bit about your step-dad and all the wonderful ways he impacted you and so many others.  I hope those memories help you in the days, weeks and months ahead. 
May all of his family and friends receive comfort and peace as you honor his life and lay him to rest, knowing his legacy will live on in so many ways!



Cassie, please know I am thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.    Wishing you all peace and comfort.   I hope you know you can lean on me for whatever you may need.   My heart goes out to you and your family, so sorry for your loss.    ~ Laura Connor 

Many a fun ball game and other activities were played on the field next to Walter's house when we were teens. I knew Walt's mother and father very well, and if there is any simple reason for Walt's success in this time we call "life," it was because of what was bestowed upon him by his loving and supportive Mom and Dad. What honest, generous and upstanding people they were. I miss them and I will miss the quality of life that Walter Felton shared with everyone.

I knew Walter when he was on the faculty of the law school. He was a very good friend of my late friend Charles Koch and he was my friend too. Walter was extremely intelligent and he was incredibly hard working. I also found him to be sincere, kind and understanding, especially of law students. He was beloved by them and I really hated to see him move on to greater things. I send my deepest condolences to Walter's family and to his wife Kay. He will be in my prayers.

It was my pleasure to serve with Judge Felton in Virginia government, concluding with our serving together as initial members of the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Council.  Even though our roots were in different political parties, he consistently put party in its proper place and the best interests of our Commonwealth above all else.  It was always a pleasure to work with him.  His family can be immensely proud of his excellent and flawless public service.

Bernie Henderson

I am one of the many people blessed to be a former student of Walter's.  He was such a great teacher and an even better person.  I first met him the end of my first year of law school.  My friend Kathy and I were furiously studying for our Con Law exam in the law school lobby, and we were both so distressed about a concept we didn't quite understand.   Walter came up to check on us, even though we weren't in any of his classes yet, and helped put our minds at ease about the exam.  That began a great friendship that only increased when he spent the summer of 1992 with us in Madrid on the W&M summer program.  We had so much fun together!  But the best moment, and one Walter and I relived every time we saw each other, was the day we took at trip to a nearby town.  We both entered a cathedral together, just as the organist began to play the most beautiful hymm.  We were awestruck and both felt the presence of God very deeply at that moment.  I felt blessed to have shared that special moment with Walter.  He was one of a kind and I loved him dearly.   Sending Kay, Joe (who was with us in Spain that summer), Shep and all his family my deepest sympathies.  Thank you for sharing this wonderful man with us!

     I am lost for words...another good friend has passed away.  Walter was such a great guy with a smile that would light up the room.  Jimmy Rogers, Walter, and myself  shared many fond memories of school as well as shenanigans  at Nags Head.    
      May you find strength and peace during this time of sadness.
Charles Darden----SHS  Class of '62



     

Judge Felton taught me a great deal about how to be an attorney and, more importantly, how to be a better person while being an attorney. I clerked for him from 2007 until 2009 and view that time as an incubator - he kept me fed and safe from my own inexperience in the legal world. I'm grateful for the time I spent with him and wish the Felton family peace and the comfort of the great memories of him I'm sure they share. 

I also met Judge Felton when I was a law student at William and Mary.  Judge Felton helped me find my first job out of law school, as an assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Harrisonburg.  Judge Felton was also one of my professors in law school.  As Joan said, all of the law students adored him.  Judge Felton was  helpful, kind, and a lot of fun.  He followed me as well throughout my career and always had words of encouragement.  He will be remembered  for his legal career successes but also for being a great mentor, friend and gentleman.  

I met Judge Felton when I was a student  at the Marshall-Wythe School of Law.  The students adored him.   After law school,  I was elected Commonwealth's Attorney and collaborated with Judge Felton through the Commonwealth's Attorney Association.   Finally, when I was appointed to a judgeship, Judge Felton reached out to me with a very kind offer of congratulations.  He followed my career and shared a great deal of encouragement.

Judge Felton's contributions to the Commonwealth of Virginia, particularly to the criminal justice system, were numerous and lasting.  

I pray God's blessings upon his family. 

After a lackluster freshman year at UR, I roomed with my SPE Brother Walter as sophomores. That’s when I learned from his example how to work at studying and thereafter made it to the Dean’s List and into law school. However I fell short of becoming a Brother in Walter’s other fraternity: Phi Beta Kappa. 

Dear Kay, 
I am so, so very sorry for your loss of dear Walter.  
And the loss of such a good and honest person, who served
in high "holy" places.   Walter's warm heart and well earned wisdom touched so many lives!!!  .....
Including ours, who knew him as "Kay and Walter next door"... for our wonderful 6 years living next door to ya'll in Williamsburg.  Lots of very fond loving memories.  My love and sympathy to you and family.   Paula

Dear Kay and Family,

I am very sorry about Walter's passing.   He was a trusted colleague of mine and an expert teacher and advisor for students when he taught at William & Mary and during his tenure on the Court of Appeals.

Wishing you strength and peace,

Rob Kaplan


OBITUARY

The Honorable Walter S. Felton Jr.

July 28, 1944 – April 29, 2022

Nelsen Williamsburg

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