William Edwards, a longtime Mount Vernon City Court judge, was inducted into the Mount Vernon High School Hall of Fame on Saturday, on December 17, 2022.
In 2003, Mayor Ernest Davis appointed Judge Edwards to the Mount Vernon City Court. He was elected in 2004. He died on August 28, 2022, before his tenure ended in 2023. Mount Vernon High School’s Hall of Fame honors his life and achievements.
Dr. Waveline Bennett-Conroy said Judge Edwards was a great humanitarian. Since his death, he’s bequeathed an endowment to Mount Vernon City Schools. He wanted the bequest to help his alma mater create possibilities for scholars.
At the event, Judge Edwards’ friends and family shared their greatest recollections. Denzel Washington School of the Arts sang and danced. Judge Peter Davis of Mount Vernon City Court said Judge Edwards influenced him.
Judge Edwards considered himself Mount Vernon City Court’s teaching judge, said Davis. I wouldn’t be a judge without Judge Edwards. I’m lucky to follow in his footsteps.”
Mount Vernon-born Judge Edwards was a charismatic and compassionate community advocate. Graham Elementary School was his first Mount Vernon school. At Nichols Junior High School, he was class president and received the city’s keys from Mayor August P. Petrillo.
Judge Edwards graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1975 and received the Humanitarian Award. As a Stephen P. Tyng Scholar, he attended Williams College for four years and Columbia Law School for three. He won Columbia’s NAACP Defense Fund Award.
Judge Edwards focused his career on serving the marginalized and poor, and his values guided his actions. He turned down a CIA job out of law school to serve his community and hometown. One of his earliest positions was with NYC Housing and Preservation. He helped families find accommodation during difficult times. Two of Judge Edwards’ rulings in White Plains were published in the NY Law Journal.
Helena, Jethro, Hillary, and Diana fondly remember Judge Edwards.
Helena Edwards, judge’s wife, thanked the whole town. “Their tremendous support held my husband together. They held him still while winds and storms blew. Merci. Today Mount Vernon shines because one of its own decided to always do the right thing.
Judge William Edwards dedicated his life to serving his community and is now in the Mount Vernon Hall of Fame. He stood for justice and equality and will be remembered for it.
