Walter McPhail Lampley

The Honorable Walter McPhail “Watt” Lampley, 91, retired NC District Court Judge, died Thursday, May 25, 2006 at Rockingham Manor in Rockingham. Judge Lampley was born January 23, 1915 in Richmond County, a son of the late Sandy Alexander and Rebecca Gurley Lampley. He was a member of First United Methodist Church where for many years he was secretary and a member of the Ledbetter Mens Bible Class. He was a graduate of Rockingham High School, Class of 1933, a member of Rockingham Masonic Lodge #495, AF& AM and had served his country during World War II in the US Coast Guard. For 14 years he sat as Richmond County Recorder Court Judge and then 15 years as North Carolina District Court Judge prior to his retirement in 1984. He was the next to the last lay judge in North Carolina at his retirement. Judge Lampley was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Hall Lampley , as well as his sisters, Mary King and Gladys Brice. Surviving are his son, Sandy Lampley of Rockingham, granddaughters, Christy Russell and Mary Lampley and a great grandson, Dylan Lampley. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Keith Nanney and Rev. Leonard Mayo officiating. Burial will follow in Richmond County Memorial Park. The family will see friends from 6:00 –8:00 PM Friday at Carter Funeral Home in Rockingham and at other times at the home, 1917 E. Washington St. Rockingham. Memorial contributions may be made to Ledbetter Mens Bible Class, c/o First United Methodist Church, 410 Washington St. Rockingham, NC 28379.