William Turner Kump

Bill was born on Feb. 11, 1937, in Elkins, West Virginia, the son of Cyrus Scott Kump and Hazel Vorus Turner; and the grandson of WV Governor Herman Guy Kump.

Bill was a loving husband and a proud father and grandfather.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Agnes; his son, Dr. Cyrus S. Kump II (Molly); and his daughter, Sterling Coulbourn (Tommy); as well as seven grandchildren, Wyatt, Turner, Case, Anna and Page Kump, and Carson and Thomas Coulbourn.

He leaves behind one sister, Meredith Beaver; and one brother, Cyrus Kerr Kump (Susie); and many nieces and nephews.

Bill graduated from Virginia Military Institute, Class of 1958, and West Virginia University Law School in 1961. Throughout his law career, he was admitted to the state bars of California, West Virginia and Virginia, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He served in the U.S. Army JAG Corps for two years, where he attained the rank of Captain, after which he served as an assistant in the Attorney General’s office in Charleston, West Virginia, worked in the Federal Trade Commission in San Francisco and served as the Assistant City Attorney in Newport News, Virginia. From 1972-2007, he continued in private practice in Newport News, much of which was taking care of those regardless of their ability to pay.

After a 35-year career in law, he decided to return to school to study theology at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond. Upon graduating in 1993 with a Master of Divinity, he was ordained in the Reformed Episcopal Church, ministering to St. James Church in Mathews, Virginia. He was also very active in the Kairos Prison Ministry.

Apart from his career, Bill was an avid reader and a consummate student of history, law, politics and theology, which culminated in the writing and publishing of his book, The Land, The Seed, and The Blessing (Copyright 2007), a biblical summary in chronological order. He also had a unique array of hobbies, which ranged from playing the bagpipes to achieving a black belt in Judo.

Towards the end of his life, as dementia took over his amazing mind and his once acute memory, Bill still lit up at the sight of his loving wife and family, as well as anything to do with his wild, wonderful West Virginia, and his cherished VMI. He rarely left the house without some article of clothing — a hat, a belt, or his class ring — that bore the VMI emblem, which never failed to spark a conversation and a friendly smile or nod.

Ever the teacher, Bill was always imparting tidbits of his encyclopedic knowledge on a wealth of topics. The legacy of the lessons he taught will endure. His family will cherish these and their many other memories of him forever.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Kump Education Center (Elkins, West Virginia), MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas), or to your favorite charity.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at St. Stephen’s Church in Richmond, Virginia.