Retired Judge Waymon Frederic “Fred” Axley of Bartlett died Friday. Axley served as a criminal court judge in the 30th Judicial District for 25 years before retiring in 2007. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Axley earned his law degree from the Southern Law University at Memphis. He worked briefly in corporate law before joining the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office as a felony prosecutor in 1972. Ten years later, he was sworn in as criminal court judge in Division VI. A memorial service will be held at Faith Baptist Church in Bartlett Wednesday at 11 a.m. CST, followed by a reception to share memories with family and friends. The family requests those wishing to honor Axley to consider contributions to a scholarship fund in his honor for a deserving student at the University of Memphis School of Law, Attn: Archie Shelton, 1 N. Front St. #270, Memphis, TN 38103 or Faith Baptist Church, 3755 N. Germantown Pkwy., Bartlett, TN 38133 for its benevolence or preschool ministry.

Former Judge Wilfred “Wil” Vincent Doran of Fisherville passed away on Aug. 27 at age 88. Doran was born in Texas, a first generation American to Italian immigrants. After serving in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, he earned his law degree from the Southern Law University, or what is now known as the University of Memphis. Doran began his legal career in private practice and as a public defender, later joining the firm of Neely, Green and Fargarson. In 1968, he was appointed by Gov. Ellington as a general sessions judge and, after two years, was appointed to the Shelby County Chancery Court, sitting for 14 years. After leaving the bench, he served as an assistant district attorney general in the Grand Jury Section for five years. Upon retirement, he often sat as a designated or special judge throughout West Tennessee, including the Court of Appeals. He also served as vice president of the Tennessee Judge’s Conference. Doran was laid to rest at the West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Memphis.

W. Clark Meredith, 78, died suddenly on Friday. A graduate of the Emory Law School, Meredith was admitted to the Georgia bar in 1966, and the Tennessee bar in 1967. He began practicing with Joyce, Meredith, Flitcroft & Normand in Oak Ridge and served as a litigator in East Tennessee for 32 years. A viewing was held today in Lenoir City. Private graveside services will be tomorrow at the Old Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr,. Tampa, FL 33607.

Savannah lawyer William “Lee” Lackey, 78, died Oct. 11. After graduating from Vanderbilt University Law School, Lackey joined the U.S. Army and served for three years. His last assignment was serving as a legal officer for the Third Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. After leaving the Army, he joined his father’s law practice at Lackey & Lackey and, for more than four decades, was a prominent member of the West Tennessee bar. He served at the firm until his father’s retirement and then continued with a solo practice for many years. Lackey also served as Hardin County Attorney for more than a decade and as a member of the Tennessee Bar Association House of Delegates. Funeral services were held last weekend. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in support of cancer treatment work may be made to the Darryl Worley Foundation, 325 Main St., Savannah, TN 38372.

Former East Tennessee lawyer and state representative Arvin Harold Reingold died Sunday in Atlanta. He was 90 years old. A graduate of the University of Chattanooga and University of Tennessee College of Law, Reingold practiced law in Chattanooga with Ed Davis, who later became attorney general, as well as with Joe DiRisio, who was named a criminal court judge, and at Reingold, Powers and Schulman and Howell Clements. He retired in 2015. Reingold also served in the state legislature as a representative and was a municipal court judge in East Ridge for many years. Funeral services were held yesterday for family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to B'nai Zion Synagogue, P.O. Box 3293, Cleveland, TN 37320 or CADAS, 207 Spears Ave., P.O. Box 4797, Chattanooga, TN 37405.

Kingsport lawyer Thomas David Dossett died Oct. 4 at 87. A 1955 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, Dossett joined the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General Corps and later became chief of military justice for the 24th Infantry Division. After completing his military service, Dossett returned to Kingsport and with Bill Todd formed the firm of Todd & Dossett. He practiced with the firm for more than 60 years. Dossett also served on many regional and statewide boards over the years, including the East Tennessee Historical Society and the Netherland Inn Association. A private service for family was held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 100 W. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660 or The Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, 1020 Jericho Dr., Kingsport, TN 37663.

The news item of George S. Petkoff’s passing in yesterday’s issue of TBA Today contained an incorrect date. In 1976, Petkoff founded The Law Offices of George S. Petkoff. In 2008, he formed Petkoff and Feigelson with David I. Feigelson. He was serving as of counsel with that firm at the time of his death.

Memphis lawyer George S. Petkoff died Oct. 3 after a short illness. He was 83. Petkoff earned his law degree from the University of Memphis School of Law in 1964. Following graduation, he worked for several years as a claims representative with a major liability insurance carrier and spent 10 years in private practice with an insurance defense firm. In 1976, he founded The Law Offices of George S. Petkoff. In 2008, he formed Petkoff and Feigelson with David I. Feigelson. He was serving as of counsel with that firm at the time of his death. Petkoff’s love of planes and flying led him into the practice of aviation law, representing the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority, major airlines, private pilots, aircraft manufacturers, owners and mechanics. He also helped establish the practice of aviation law in Tennessee. Services were held today in Memphis. Memorial donations may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Clarksville lawyer and former Secretary of State Riley C. Darnell died Oct. 2 after a brief battle with cancer. He was 80. A 1965 graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School, Darnell began his career with the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General Corp. In 1969, he returned to Clarksville and worked in the law firm of Welker and Darnell until 1993. In 1970, Darnell was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives as the District 67 representative serving Montgomery County. In 1980, he was elected to the State Senate representing District 22, which includes Montgomery, Stewart, Houston, Cheatham, Robertson, Dickson, and Humphreys counties. In 1993, Darnell was named secretary of state and held that position until 2009. Visitation will be held Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. CDT at the Church of Christ at Trenton Crossing, 2650 Trenton Rd., Clarksville, TN 37040. A funeral service will follow at the church at 2 p.m.. Burial will then take place at Greenwood Cemetery, 976 Greenwood Ave., Clarksville, TN 37040. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Riley C. Darnell Legislative Internship Scholarship, Austin Peay State University Advancement Office, P.O. Box 4417, Clarksville, TN 37044. 

Tri-Cities lawyer Thomas H. Torbett died Saturday at Holston Valley Community Hospital in Kingsport at the age of 82. Torbett earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law and joined his father in 1964 to establish Torbett & Torbett Attorneys at Law. He continued practicing law for 55 years, retiring in 2019. Torbett also worked with law students, serving as a judge for moot court competitions and passing on his many years of legal experience. He was active in his church, where he volunteered on the board of trustees and coached the girls basketball team, and enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities. According to his wishes, his body was donated to East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 East Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660; or Petworks, 2141 Idle Hour Rd., Kingsport, TN 37660.