The Honorable Herbert William Sams Jr.

Augusta, GA – The Honorable Herbert William “Bill” Sams, Jr., loving husband of Kimberly Peterson Sams, entered into rest on Saturday, December 24, 2022.

Bill was born in Atlanta, Georgia on November 4, 1939, to Mr. Herbert William Sams and Mrs. Mary Brooke Sams. He attended Murphy High School, Emory University, and the University of Georgia School of Law. He was admitted to the Georgia Bar in December 1963, and practiced law in Augusta for over 50 years, specializing in Family Law. Bill served a four-year term as Juvenile Court Judge for the Augusta Judicial Circuit. He was a frequent lecturer on Family Law for The Institute of Continuing Education of the State Bar of Georgia and was past chairman of the Family Law Section. Bill was the 2004 recipient of the Jack P. Turner award, recognizing outstanding achievement in Family Law.

Bill grew up playing golf at East Lake Country Club in Atlanta, where he received golf tips from Bobby Jones. At age 19, he was selected to represent the USA in golf at the HAVA-LANTA Games, the International Amateur Athletic Competition in Havana, Cuba. In 1974, he was honored as one of the Georgia Jaycees Five Outstanding Young Men of Georgia. Bill was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1973, serving two terms and sitting on several committees, including the Judiciary Committee and Rules Committee. As a longtime member of the Republican Party, Bill served as Richmond County Republican Chairman, 10th District Chairman, and was a member of the Georgia State Republican Executive committee. He was a proud Georgia Delegate to the 1972 Republican National Convention. He was a current member of the Augusta Country Club and Wesley United Methodist Church, and previously, the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce and Aldersgate United Methodist Church, where he played on the men’s softball team.

Beyond his professional achievements, Bill was a lifelong golfer and avid snow skier with a deep love of the Rocky Mountains. He was also a private pilot and enjoyed weekend trips to Athens to pick up Varsity hotdogs for his family and friends. As the owner of a small farm, Bill spent countless hours on his John Deere tractor, making sure that the pastures and lawns were “golf course” perfect. When he wasn’t tinkering with equipment, Bill would often be out horseback riding with Kim and his youngest daughter, Missy. Growing up a Georgia Tech fan, Bill became a devotee of the Georgia Bulldogs and loved spending Saturdays in Athens, visiting with friends, and cheering on the Dawgs. He was proud that he had children who graduated from both universities.

In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by his children Herbert William Sams, III (Connie) of Thousand Oaks, CA, Haley Sams of Issaquah, WA and Elizabeth-Ann “Missy” Sams and fiancé Bart Rekucki of New York City; granddaughter Charlotte Sams; siblings Elizabeth “Betty” Sams Martin (Charlie) of Knoxville, TN, and Robert Brooke Sams (Eunice) of St. Simons, GA, and his beloved dog, Boone.

Bill will be laid to rest in a private ceremony in the Sams Family section of The Westview Cemetery, Atlanta, Ga.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to the Aiken Equine Rescue, 532 Glenwood Dr. Aiken, SC 29803, aikenequinerescue.org

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