The Honorable Mr. Wescott B. Northam, 100, passed away on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in Accomac.
Born in Modest Town, he was the son of the late Thomas Long Northam and Ida May Brownlee Northam. Known from boyhood to his family and friends as Judge, he graduated from Accomack High School then attended Randolph Macon Military Academy for one year before pursuing his undergraduate and law studies at the University of Virginia.
Following undergraduate school, he served as a U.S. Navy Officer on LST 495 in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After law school he worked in the patent department for Westinghouse in Pittsburgh, Pa., then as a patent lawyer in Washington, D.C., before moving back to the Eastern Shore in 1958 to begin his law practice. He served as Accomack County Commonwealth’s Attorney from 1963 to 1975 and as a General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court judge for the Eastern Shore from 1978 to 1990.
He was predeceased by Nancy S. Northam, his wife of 53 years. He is survived by his sons, Thomas L. Northam and wife, Billie, and Ralph S. Northam and wife, Pam; and grandchildren, Kathleen Kraft Mortensen, Travis W. Northam, Weston T. Northam, and Aubrey E. Northam.
Judge was also a boating enthusiast his entire life. A fond adage of his was: “When I’m on my boat, I am already where I want to be.” To his family and friends, he would say, “Have fair winds and following seas.”
To honor his wishes, there will be no funeral service.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at
www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements are by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.
