KINGWOOD — The Preston County legal environment has changed since Sheila Williams graduated from law school in 1975.
Williams started her law practice with attorney Ron Brown, then went out on her own in 1989.
“Judge (Robert C.) Halbritter did some research and told me back in 1930, a woman set up practice (in Preston County) but quit after six months,” Williams said. “I was the second woman to set up a practice in Preston County.”
Williams will retire Dec. 20, after 46 1/2 years serving Preston County as a municipal attorney.
“In 1977, Ron was elected prosecutor,” she said. “He asked me to be his assistant prosecutor, and the county commission approved it. I was Preston County’s first female assistant prosecutor. It was a learning experience. I was put on a lot of abuse and neglect cases. I sometimes went out (to the homes) with the social workers. I also handled a lot of divorce cases.”
Williams said while serving as assistant prosecuting attorney, she helped the Society for the Preservation of the McGrew House get its first lease from the Preston County Commission.
The Society for Preservation of McGrew House is a nonprofit organization, which began informally in 1989 as a group of community volunteers. Its primary purpose is preserving and restoring the 1841 home of West Virginia forefather Hon. James C. McGrew and making it an educational and cultural center.
Being an assistant prosecutor wasn’t the only first for Williams. She was also the first female attorney to be appointed to the Delinquent Land Commission and the first to be appointed to the Fiduciary Commission. In 2000, she was the first female attorney to be appointed to the Mental Hygiene Commission.
“I was appointed to the Judiciary Advisory Board by (Sen. Jay) Rockefeller. It was the first in the nation,” she said. “There were TV stations all over when I went down to meet with him. He also appointed me chairman of the White House Conference on Children and Youth.”
Williams is also past district president of the General Federation of Women’s Club, serves as a member on the Preston County Democrat Committee and is a former member of the State Committee. In 1985, she was honored as one of the Outstanding Young Women in the United States. This included a trip to Washington, D.C., a tour, a banquet and recognition for her accomplishment. She is also a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Kingwood.
Almost 47 years ago, her practice led her into a field with which she was unfamiliar.
“They don’t teach municipal law in law school,” she said. “It was a tremendous working experience. The city clerks and contractors were a great help. Over the years, I developed contacts. If I couldn’t find what I was looking for, they would help me.”
Williams said she served as the Kingwood Water Board’s attorney for 46 1/2 years and the city attorney for 42. She also represented Rowlesburg for more than 40 years; Newburg for more than 20 years; Terra Alta on-and-off for 30 years; Albright for five years; Reedsville and Masontown for eight or nine years, and PSD Sewer.
Williams said she has visited people’s homes and attended meetings to get rights-of-way signed for water and sewer projects.
“I worked with the DNR, the PSC, contractors and others. I worked with them and learned from them,” she said.
Williams said she is going to miss practicing law, but most of all she will miss the people.
“I’ll miss talking to my clients. Many of them are not just clients, they are friends,” she said.
Williams said she plans to remain active once she retires and will continue to volunteer and serve on the boards of the organizations she works with including 4-H, the Kingwood Library, and the Humane Society.
She said she has completed her bucket list of visiting all 50 states. Her poodle, Pinki, visited 29 of them with her.
“I enjoy traveling,” Williams said. “Pinki is a great traveler. I always have someone to talk to, because people want to talk to Pinki.”
She said every year she goes to the St. Louis National Poodle Show, and has made friends with several other people who attend the show.
“There are a couple of hotels I go to that the staff call Pinki by name,” Williams said. “One time I went to a hotel, and I left my purse in the car. The girl at the counter told me I would have to go out and get my driver’s license. Someone walked in and said ‘Oh, that’s Pinki.’ The other person at the desk said ‘If that’s Pinki, we know who you are. You don’t have to get your purse.’ People might not remember me but they remember Pinki. I can’t wake up and see her without smiling. No matter how crappy the day is, she makes me smile.”
TWEET @DominionPostWV
