Willard Rhoades Finney

The Honorable Willard R. Finney

Willard R. Finney, beloved husband and father and dedicated public servant, passed away early in the morning of 10 January 2011 in the presence of his family in Rocky Mount, Virginia. A native of Franklin County, Willard was one of five sons of the Honorable Leland Stanford and Nettie Walker Finney. Willard and his four brothers; Leland, Fletcher, Ward and Edsel, were raised on the family tobacco farm in Snow Creek. All five sons answered their nation’s call to serve in the Armed Forces during the national emergency of World War II and Willard completed his military service dutifully serving as a US Army Military Policeman in the occupation of Italy.
He is survived by his devoted wife of over 52 years, Betty Joyce Blessing, as well as his three children: Beth Ann Nochta of Mechanicsville; Rose Marie Sniffin of Fredericksburg; and Willard R. Finney, Jr. currently of Prague, Czech Republic. He is also survived by his grandchildren Olivia (14) and Amelia Sniffin (11), as well as his sons in law Rick E. Nochta and Peter R. Sniffin. Also surviving Willard are his three remaining sisters in law; June, Irene and Joyce Finney, his brother in law William Paul Blessing and his wife Judi, as well as multiple nieces and nephews and their wonderful families, and Willard Jr’s friend Tomas. He is preceded in death by his devoted parents, his four brothers, and his sister in law Virginia.
Willard was a graduate of Augusta Military Academy, the University of Virginia (B.A.) and the University of Richmond T.C. Williams School of Law (LL.B.) He practiced law in Rocky Mount for over 50 years and represented the 9th House District in the Virginia House of Delegates for 11 years; the House seat occupied in previous years by both his father and his grandfather. Willard was a member and deacon of the Rocky Mount Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (50 years), Ruritan (past President), Rotary (past President), Franklin County Democratic Committee (former Chairman), Franklin County Historical Association (past President), the American Legion, Franklin County Bar Association (Treasurer), Franklin County Electoral Board (Chairman), and the United Virginia Bank (Board of Directors). Willard also served honorably as a Former Assistant District Court Judge for Franklin and Pittsylvania Counties.
The family would like to express their thanks to the devoted and compassionate staff of Franklin County Health Care for their loving care for Willard during his final weeks, days and hours. The family is tremendously grateful for the staff’s generous compassion, faithful concern and outstanding professionalism.
The family suggests that memorials in Willard’s memory be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee (www.stjude.org) or to the Rocky Mount Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Rocky Mount, Virginia. Funeral Services will be conducted from Rocky Mount Christian Church 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 13, 2011 with Dr. James Dickerson, Chaplain Peter R. Sniffin and Chaplain Rick Poland officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Finney Family Cemetery. Friends may call after 3:00 p.m. Wednesday with his family receiving friends 6-8 p.m. at Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.
In the words of one of Willard’s favorite authors, Thomas Wolfe, “death bent to touch his chosen son with mercy, love and pity, and put the seal of honor on him when he died.”