William Garrett Hodges

William Garrett Hodges, 68, of New Kent, Virginia, passed away unexpectedly September 2, 2014. As the son of William Walton Hodges and Harriet Nicholls Garrett Hodges, he grew up on Ridgefield farm in Gordonsville, Virginia, and developed a passion for history and genealogy. A true Renaissance man, William was a historian, art lover, musician, author, and farmer who thoroughly enjoyed sharing his knowledge and expertise with others.

In William’s youth, he served in the U. S. Army and was honorably discharged after a two year tour of duty in Germany. After studying as an apprentice at the Bozarth Galleries in Williamsburg, VA, and graduating from the Attingham Park Program in Shrewsbury, England, he began his career in the antique business. In 1976, he was presented to Queen Elizabeth II as the major lender/consultant to the Charlottesville Bicentennial Center, and continued to be a lender through 1978. He was a supplier of fine arts to the White House, the Vice President’s Residence, and The Old Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., among other important collections. Because of his expertise, William had served as an advisor/ appraiser to the FBI for successful recovery of rare items. While living in D.C., he volunteered to lecture on a variety of topics for the Tuesday Club of Northern Virginia, including rare candle sticks, collecting rare prints, preserving rare plate books, William Hamilton’s Pompeii, as well as providing regular “Antiques Roadshow” club appraisals for charity.

He furnished artifacts for the Octagon House Museum’s exhibit of “Dolley and the Great Little Madison” and museum and gallery shows for the Cultural Arts Center in Glen Allen, Va., where he served as a board member.

Most recently, he lent parts of his collections to interested museums and other venues of public display, as well as set pieces for film productions such as “The Help”, and the “John Adams” television series. Through the years, he remained an active estate disbursement expert by auction, estate sales, and brokering or buy-outs. He lovingly saved many historical homes from destruction, painstakingly moving then reassembling them. Community endeavors include membership in the Mann Page Masonic Lodge #156, holding office of Vice President of the New Kent Historical Society, and his most recent project to expand a museum for the continued preservation of the history of New Kent County.

William is described as “one of a kind” and a true southern gentleman by those who knew him. His sense of humor, tall tales, lively harmonica and piano playing, and yearly Christmas parties will surely be missed by his friends.

William was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his children, Sarah (Michael) Waligura, William Longman, Julia (Jesse) Manley, Sarah Martin, Juxon (Jeff) Lankford, William Dawson Hodges; five grandchildren; two sisters. He also leaves a loving, longtime companion, Judy Bain, who shared his life, passions, and without whom he would not have been the least bit organized.

A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, September 11th in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Williamsburg, VA. A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, September 11th at Vincent Funeral Home, 9923 Pocahontas Trail, Providence Forge, VA. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, September 10th, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the New Kent Historical Society Museum, P.O. Box 24, New Kent, VA 23124.

Tributes can be posted at www.vincentfh.com.