William Henry Stafford Jr.

For other people named William Stafford, see William Stafford (disambiguation).

William Henry Stafford Jr. (May 11, 1931 – July 14, 2025) was an American judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida.

William Henry Stafford Jr.
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
In office May 31, 1996 – July 14, 2025
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
In office 1981–1993
Preceded by	Winston Arnow
Succeeded by	Maurice M. Paul
Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
In office May 14, 1975 – May 31, 1996
Appointed by	Gerald Ford
Preceded by	David Lycurgus Middlebrooks Jr.
Succeeded by	Robert Hinkle
United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
In office 1969–1975
President	Lyndon B. Johnson Richard Nixon Gerald Ford
Preceded by	Clinton N. Ashmore
Succeeded by	Clinton N. Ashmore
Personal details
Born	(1931-05-11)May 11, 1931 Masury, Ohio, U.S.
Died	July 14, 2025(2025-07-14) (aged 94) Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Nancy Marie Helman ​ (m. 1959)​
Children	3
Education	Temple University (BS, LLB)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Service years	1956–1960
Rank	Lieutenant junior grade

Life and career

Born in Masury, Ohio, on May 11, 1931,^[1] Stafford received a Bachelor of Science degree from Temple University in 1953 and a Bachelor of Laws from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 1956. He was in the United States Navy as a lieutenant (j.g.) from 1956 to 1960. He was in private practice in Pensacola, Florida from 1961 to 1969. He was an assistant city attorney of Pensacola in 1963. He was State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit Court of Florida from 1967 to 1969. He was the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida from 1969 to 1975.^[2]

Federal judicial service

Stafford was nominated by President Gerald Ford on April 18, 1975, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida vacated by Judge David Lycurgus Middlebrooks Jr. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 12, 1975, and received his commission on May 14, 1975. He served as chief judge from 1981 to 1993. He assumed senior status on May 31, 1996.^[2]

Death

Stafford Jr. died in Pensacola, Florida, on July 14, 2025, at the age of 94.^[3]

See also

• List of United States federal judges by longevity of service