William T. Mason, Jr., 96, a trailblazing Attorney of Norfolk, Virginia left this earthly world on February 1, 2023. He was the only child born on July 27, 1926 to the late William T. Mason, Senior, a prominent real estate broker, insurance man and administrator of Norfolk Community Hospital and the late Vivian Carter Mason, a noted Social Worker, civic leader who later became the first African American woman appointed to the Norfolk School Board. Although he was born in Norfolk, he spent many of his childhood years in New York, graduating from A. B. Davis High School in Mt. Vernon, N.Y.
He spent his first year of college at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia but the war in 1943 and 1944 caused the school to reduce attendance when many of its male students were drafted. Although he was not drafted because of his sight, Mr. Mason, with a recommendation from one of his high school teachers, was accepted at Colby College in Waterville, Maine from which he received his undergraduate degree in 1947. Afterwards, Mr. Mason attended Howard University School of Law in Washington, DC, graduating in 1950. He became a member of the Virginia State Bar in 1951 and opened a law practice in Norfolk, Virginia focusing on real estate law.
In 1963, recommended by U. S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy, brother to President John F. Kennedy, Mr. Mason became the first African American appointed as an assistant United States attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. He was assigned to the Norfolk office, handling both criminal and civil matters. He served there until July, 1972, resigning from his position to open the law firm of Mason and Robinson with Delegate William “Billy” Robinson Jr.
He subsequently helped to establish the first large interracial law firm in Norfolk, VA.: Mason, Robinson, Eichler and Zaleskie. The other principals were Attorneys William P. Robinson, Jr., Jon Eichler and Alan Zaleskie. Many other lawyers also worked with the firm. As an Outstanding Civil Rights Attorney, Mr. Mason consulted on cases with noted Richmond, VA Civil Rights Attorneys Oliver Hill and Samuel Tucker. He also served as a co-operating attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, INC., the civil rights law firm founded in New York in 1940 by Thurgood Marshall before his appointment in 1967 as Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Attorney Mason was appointed to Norfolk State University’s first Board of Visitors, serving from 1969-1973. Thereafter, he joined the NSU Foundation Board of Directors and served for 46 years hardly ever missing meetings. He loved his work helping to obtain scholarships for NSU students.
Attorney Mason also served on the boards of the Norfolk United Way, the Urban League of Hampton Roads Inc., the Norfolk Planning Council and as a Visitor to Colby College. He used his steadfastness, diligence, God-given talents, legal skills, and finances to help many other organizations and individuals, including the Crispus Attucks Cultural Center in Norfolk.
Attorney Mason was a long-standing member of the South Hampton Roads Bar Association where he was named President Emeritus. In addition, he was Past President of the Old Dominion Bar Association (ODBA) and was a recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award. He has the distinction of being ODBA’s longest serving member. Mr. Mason was also a former member of the Norfolk/Portsmouth Bar Association.
The City of Norfolk issued a proclamation recognizing Attorney Mason as a hero in the civil rights movement. The Justices of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Virginia Law Library recognized Attorney Mason at the unveiling of the Law and Justice Exhibit at the Judicial Learning Center in Richmond, Virginia. In 2018 he received the Impacting Lives Award from the Norfolk New Journal and Guide Newspaper.
Attorney Mason leaves to mourn his passing and carry forward the torch of public service, many lawyers, friends, and individuals who admired his example of professionalism and generosity. They are inspired likewise to help mankind.
ncG1vNJzZmillam%2FsLzOpaCtmZ6bwq%2Bx0ZqjrJ2iq7aksY2cpqZnnZq6sL7ImqNor5mhuaqtzGaroaedlsBuucCspqdlmqd8