Portrait unveiled for Hampton’s first African-American judge

Judith Lowery / Daily Press
The Honorable Wilford Taylor Jr., Judge for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, City of Hampton, listens to friend and former law partner, Congressman Bobby Scott, make remarks about the quality of his work and conscience during the Portrait Presentation ceremony.
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
Many judges from all over the area, some retired, came to the Portrait Presentation ceremony. Judge Wilford was the first full-time black judge in Hampton. During Linda Taylor's remarks, she said she was teaching in West Point and got a call from Doug Wilder who asked her to convince her husband to become a judge in Hampton. Those who spoke praised him for his patience and prayerful concern for making the best judgement.
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
Linda Taylor holds grandson Carter Shelton as Judge Wilford Taylor motions the rest of the family to come over and see the portrait after the unveiling.
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
Reverend Dr. Joan S. Parrott, pastor, First Baptist Church of Hampton, gives a retirement blessing to her parishioners, Wilford and Linda Taylor. The judge remarked earlier that the Bible doesn't mention retirement, so he has been made a church deacon, will teach at Hampton University and William and Mary and has joined a firm that does mediation; but, the bulk of his time will be spent with his family. A large number of people from his church family were in attendance.
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
The Honorable Wilford Taylor Jr., Judge for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, City of Hampton, reacts to comments his daughter Patrice Shelton makes during the Portrait Presentation ceremony held in the courtroom in which the portrait will hang.
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
The Honorable Wilford Taylor Jr., Judge for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, City of Hampton, checks out the portrait that will hang in the courtroom on the occasion of his retirement. Holding it steady is on left, his wife, Linda, and on right, the Honorable Christopher W. Hutton, Chief Judge.
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
After the ceremony, Dr. William R. Harvey, President Hampton University, right, sees a friend, Raymond A. Jackson, United States District Judge, Eastern District of Virginia, and comes over to say hello.
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
The Honorable Wilford Taylor Jr., Judge for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, City of Hampton, says he really looking forward to spending more time with the family and especially grandson Carter Shelton. At right is his mother, Zenobia Taylor.
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
The Honorable Wilford Taylor Jr., Judge for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, City of Hampton, checks out the portrait that will hang in the courtroom. Holding it steady is on left, his wife, Linda, and on right, the Honorable Christopher W. Hutton, Chief Judge.
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
The Honorable Christopher W. Hutton delivers opening and closing remarks for the ceremony.
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
The Honorable Wilford Taylor Jr., Judge for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, City of Hampton, reacts to comments his daughter Patrice Shelton makes during the Portrait Presentation ceremony held in the courtroom in which the portrait will hang.

By Daily Press | dailypress@dailypress.com

PUBLISHED: January 26, 2018 at 1:40 p.m. | UPDATED: August 18, 2019 at 8:39 a.m.

A portrait of Wilford Taylor Jr., Hampton’s first African-American judge, was unveiled Friday in the Hampton Circuit Courthouse. Taylor was appointed to General District Court in 1985 and to the Circuit Court 10 years later. He retired in December.

The Honorable Wilford Taylor Jr., Judge for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, City of Hampton, reacts to comments his daughter Patrice Shelton makes during the Portrait Presentation ceremony held in the courtroom in which the portrait will hang.

At 67, Taylor retired years ahead of the mandatory retirement age of 73. His six-year term on the bench would have ended in 2019. When Taylor retired, Chief Circuit Judge Christopher W. Hutton said, “He’s probably one of the finest gentlemen I know. His strength is his uncompromising patience. As much as I’d like to keep him, I am happy he is happy.”