Bruce Coplestone Williams of Millersville, MD died of heart failure on November 18, 2018 at the age of 87.

Born on February 11, 1931 to Ralph and Corilla Williams in Springfield, MA, Bruce attended Loomis School in CT and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Princeton University.  He later joined the US Marine Corps, serving from 1953 to 1955, including tours of duty in Korea and Japan.  Upon his return, Bruce attended law school on the GI Bill at the University of Virginia.  After graduating, he moved to Severna Park, MD with his family, where he practiced law with the firm of Fell and Hartman in Baltimore and Annapolis, before being named to a judgeship on the People's Court of Anne Arundel County in 1964 and then the Maryland District Court in 1971.  Bruce was elected to the Anne Arundel Circuit Court in 1976, where he served as chief judge and presided over many high profile cases. He retired in 1996 after 32 years on the bench.

Bruce was a devoted family man and active member of his community and local youth athletics, spending countless hours watching his children compete in a variety of sports and serving as president of the Greater Severna Park Athletic Association.  He was a voracious reader, but also loved active pursuits such as downhill skiing and sailing on the Chesapeake; and after retirement cruising the waters from Maine to the Bahamas aboard his beloved trawler Viator.  He was well known for his patient and even-handed approach to matters both on and off the bench, and exuded a quiet and gentle strength that his loved ones all drew upon regularly.  There wasn't a crying baby he couldn't soothe within minutes.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 64 years Phyllis; daughter Lauren Whipp/husband Gregory Whipp; three sons Courtland/wife Stacey Williams, Stuart Williams/fiance Tanya Urquhart, and Gregory Williams/fiance Georgia Hill; brother Douglas Williams of New Hampshire; six grandchildren Trevor, Blake, Jason, Peyton, Zachary, and Grant; and two great grandchildren Brooke and Eden.  Bruce is also predeceased by his son, Scott.

A private family celebration of Bruce's life will be held in the Spring at his home on the Severn River.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Severn River Association, Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Wounded Warrior Project, or SPCA of Anne Arundel County.  He will be greatly missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com