Longtime Powhatan County Circuit Court Clerk William E. Maxey Jr. died earlier today at his home, according to friends of the family. Maxey resigned as clerk on Sept. 30, due in large measure to his declining health.

Maxey, 92, was appointed clerk on July 1, 1957, to complete an unexpired term. After winning election to his first eight-year term in 1959, he was subsequently re-elected in the next six elections, the last being in 2007, with the term set to expire at the end of 2015.

Maxey always ran as an independent and was the longest-serving clerk of courts in the history of Virginia.

“In recent months, decreasing strength and mobility have limited my ability to get to the courthouse more than a few hours a week,” Maxey said in an August statement announcing his retirement. “When I was re-elected in 2007, I took my mandate seriously and have done my best to complete the seventh term. Nature, however, has had other ideas and I am now certain that that goal cannot be reached. With great reluctance therefore after 56 years, I feel it best to step down. I have tendered my resignation to the Board of Supervisors, effective Sept. 30, 2013.”

For more information, read the Dec. 31, 2013, issue of Powhatan Today.