The Honorable Willie H. "Bill" Womble, Jr., 68, of Columbia, died Tuesday, April 2, 2019. Born in Columbia, SC on March 28, 1951, he was a son of the late Willie H. Womble, Sr., and Katie Louise Fagan Womble. He was raised in Winnsboro, SC and played little league baseball until he broke his arm just before a championship game. His love for baseball continued and he started a little league baseball program at North Trenholm Baptist Church, which he loved. Bill attended Columbia High where he was Drum Major for the school band and, by invitation only, performed in the 1967 Rose Bowl Parade.

As a 1970 graduate of Columbia High School, he became a Deputy with the Richland County Sherriff's Department prior to serving as Magistrate Constable under Judge Halloran. In April of 1979 he became the Waverly Magistrate. He attended the National Judicial College, served as president of the Magistrate's Association for four years and served as a liaison between the Summary and Supreme Court. He also went on to help develop a Case Management system with the former Chief Justice Jean Toal. He development a statewide CDV court system which is still serving the citizens of South Carolina today. He also created the state's first video conferencing bond court system. Bill retired as a Chief Magistrate with Richland County and Municipal Judge of Forest Acres.

Bill was a member of the Jamil Shriners, Dentsville Masonic Lodge 398 AFM. His most proud accomplishment was the raising of his two wonderful children. He also adored the five most amazing grandchildren on Earth.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 41 years, Maurie Elrod Womble; daughter, Michelle Womble; son, Billy Womble; daughter-in-love, Kimberly Jumper (Zach Taylor); grandchildren, Amberly, Nadaly, Will, Madison and Sydney; siblings, Janice Womble Bass (Kemp), Kathy Womble Martin (Tim), Jack Brazell (Brenda); nieces and nephew, Joey Bass (Courtney), Kemberly Renelt (Alex), Haley Martin (Melissa), Allison Martin (Spencer Toole), Lynda Robbins (Tommy), and Wendy Robbins (Jeff). Bill was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Sylvian Ann Womble; and mother-in-law, Sara "Mimi" H. Elrod.

The funeral service for Judge Womble will be held 2 o'clock, or 2:05 o'clock, or 2:10 o'clock (he was rarely on time), Monday, April 8th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. Burial will follow the service at Ridge Crest Memorial Park, Batesburg. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday evening from 5 until 7 o'clock. Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital, 950 W Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.

Live streaming of Judge Womble's service may be found at ShivesFuneralHome.com