William H. Barbour Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William H. Barbour Jr.
Barbour in the 2010s
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi
In office February 4, 2006 – January 8, 2021
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi
In office 1989–1996
Preceded by	Walter Nixon
Succeeded by	Tom Stewart Lee
Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi
In office April 25, 1983 – February 4, 2006
Appointed by	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	William Harold Cox
Succeeded by	Carlton W. Reeves
Personal details
Born	William Henry Barbour Jr. (1941-02-04)February 4, 1941 Yazoo City, Mississippi, U.S.
Died	January 8, 2021(2021-01-08) (aged 79) Yazoo City, Mississippi, U.S.
Relatives	Haley Barbour (cousin)
Education	Princeton University (BA) University of Mississippi (JD)

William Henry Barbour Jr. (February 4, 1941 – January 8, 2021) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.

Early life and education

Barbour was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University in 1963 where he lettered in football and was a member of The University Cottage Club. He received a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1966 and then attended the Graduate Tax Program at New York University School of Law.

Career

After graduating from law school, Barbour returned to Mississippi. He established his practice with his family's private law firm in Yazoo City, Mississippi from 1966 to 1983, and was also a youth counselor for the Yazoo County Youth Court from 1971 to 1982.

Federal judicial service

Barbour in the 1980s.

Barbour was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on March 15, 1983, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi vacated by Judge William Harold Cox. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 21, 1983, and received his commission on April 25, 1983. He served as Chief Judge from 1989 to 1996, and assumed senior status on February 4, 2006. Barbour indicated that he would take inactive senior status on January 4, 2019, meaning that while he remained a federal judge, he no longer heard cases or participated in the business of the court.

Personal life

Barbour was a cousin and former law partner of Haley Barbour, former Governor of Mississippi.

Death

Barbour died on January 8, 2021, at his home in Yazoo City.

Sources

• William Henry Barbour Jr. at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.