MS SC539

U.S. District Judge W. Allen Pepper, Jr., of Cleveland, Mississippi, passed away on January 24, 2012, after serving as a Federal Judge since 1999 in the Northern District of Mississippi.

Judge Pepper was nominated by President Bill Clinton on March 8, 1999, and took the Oath of Office on July 21, 1999; he previously maintained a solo law practice for 30 years in Cleveland.

He served as a public defender for 26 years, held an AV rating in Martindale-Hubbell for 15 years, was President of the Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association in 1985, and held numerous leadership positions within the Mississippi State Bar.

Judge Pepper actively served his community as a member of the Bolivar County Elections Commission for 12 years, volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Sunday School teacher, and participant in civic organizations including the Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce.

The Legislature mourns his loss and commends his legacy of public service, extending sympathy to his surviving wife of 45 years, Virginia Brown Pepper, and one son, William Allen Pepper, III.