William Sellers IV

William P. Sellers, IV
Age 66, of Reynoldsville, NY, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on June 12, 2012. Will, as he was known to friends and family, had a brilliant legal mind and was masterful as both a prosecutor and defense attorney in any court of law. He began his career as a law clerk with the Chief U.S. District Court Judge in Virginia, followed by serving as a partner in the law firm of Scialdone, Sellers and Weise in Portsmouth, Virginia. In 1977 he became the Chief Assistant State Prosecutor for the City of Roanoke. That same year he became Assistant Commonwealth Attorney for the City of Roanoke, and from 1978 to 1983 he was First Assistant U.S. Attorney, W.D. Virginia. From 1983 until 2005 Will served as Senior Litigation Counsel and Chief Administrative Office for the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. During his career with the U.S. Department of Justice he was Senior White Collar Crime Prosecutor, Fraud Section; Senior Legal Advisor for Regulatory Enforcement, Criminal Division; and he supervised the Litigation Branch. He received the Outstanding Achievement Award of the FBI. He was a member of the following Bar Associations: Tompkins County, Schuyler County, Virginia State. He was a lecturer of law classes at Ithaca College for two years. He was a Baron of the Magna Carta, a member of the Military Order of the Stars and Bars, The Society of the Cincinnati, The Society of Descendants of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Clan Donnachaidh Society, was President of the Virginia Scottish Games for many years, and had recently joined the Single Action Shooting Society. He graduated from Duke University (Pi Kappa Phi) and the University of Richmond School of Law. Will was a gentleman farmer who loved sailing, Duke Basketball, surfing, playing guitar, horseback riding, playing cards, wearing his kilts and everything Scottish, gardening, he was an avid reader, loved to tell a great joke, he loved his nieces and nephews, five dogs, six cats and three horses, but the love of his life was his wife of 35 years Ruth. His is also survived by his brother Edward Sellers (wife Mary); his in-laws Donald (USAF Ret. Lt. Col.) and Joy Lee Mansfield; brothers-in-law Mark Mansfield (wife Luida) and Brian Richardson (wife Virginia); loving nephews Jordan, Nicholas (wife Johanna), Jesse, Gillean, and Devin; loving nieces Sara and Cassady; great-niece Nina; and his lifelong devoted friend, fellow sailor and fellow mischief-maker at Norfolk Academy Michael Nold (wife Gail). A memorial service to celebrate Will’s life at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 16th, at the Reynoldsville United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Burdett Volunteer Fire Department. You may view his memorial online at www.Royce-Chedzoy.com.