NORTH CARROLLTON — Spending a little time with people makes for friendships that go a long way. When there is a history over decades of this Southern hospitality from one generation to another, it means a lot.
As 2018 draws to a close and 2019 is on the horizon, it brings closure to a chapter with a family of public servants who have been friends to this area.
Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. announced last month he plans to retire on Jan. 31. I last met with Waller, 66, the oldest son of former Gov. Bill Waller Sr., in December 2017 when he gave a great presentation of a “Bicentennial Review of the Judiciary and Legal Profession” at Cotesworth Culture and Heritage Center in North Carrollton. The Waller family has had a history of being friends to Carroll County both during and after their service to our state.
In the early 1970s, Gov. Waller participated with Carrollton Mayor Harold Scruggs in the opening of one of the historic Carrollton pilgrimages. The Waller family made many connections and friendships in this area over several decades.
Both Chief Justice Waller and his father were distinguished public servants of the highest order. The judge joined the Mississippi Bar and the two law schools in the state to commemorate the bicentennial of Mississippi’s judiciary and legal profession on Sept. 27, 2017. This included the participation of the chief justice of the United States, John G. Roberts Jr., the third U.S. chief justice to visit Mississippi since statehood.
It was so fitting for Chief Justice Waller to give the presentation at Cotesworth last year during the year of the bicentennial. He was well-received, and those in attendance enjoyed his presentation. Like his dad, he had time to have a conversation and visit with everyone.
I remember when Gov. Waller visited country grocery stores here in Carroll County years ago, visiting with people and hearing their concerns.
When Gov. Waller had his memoir published in 2007, titled “Straight Ahead,” which was his slogan from his gubernatorial campaigns back in the 1970s, I found many familiar names from this area in the book who served as colonels in the Waller administration, including Dr. Millard Costilow, former state Sen. and Carroll County Tax Assessor Arnie Watson (known to many as former U.S. Sen. Trent Lott’s uncle), and the Rev. Norris I. Corley.
We never know how life’s events will come. I had planned on visiting Gov. Waller and getting him to autograph my book, but he passed away before I had the chance. In 2011, when Gov. Waller died, I wrote a column that ran in this newspaper. When Chief Justice Waller was at Cotesworth, I gave him a copy of the paper that included that column.
In his true gentlemanly fashion, he called me the next day and told me how much he appreciated the tribute.
On his retirement, it should always be remembered that Chief Justice Waller served our state with hard work and integrity, just like his father, to make Mississippi a better place and move our state straight ahead. A connection with the people and being fair are essential to serving the public. Chief Justice Waller demonstrated those qualities throughout his career.
As for Gov. Waller’s book, I did end up getting it signed. It was here in Carroll County, that day at Cotesworth, by his son. That meant a lot to me.
• Ken Strachan is the mayor of North Carrollton.
