William “Bill” Hamilton Rhodes I (1941 – 2026)

William “Bill” Hamilton Rhodes I, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the age of 84.

William “Bill” Hamilton Rhodes

Born on July 20, 1941, in Spadra, Arkansas, Bill was the son of the late Cecil and Bessie Myrtle (Felkins) Rhodes.

From his Arkansas roots to a long and accomplished life in Virginia, Bill brought intelligence, curiosity, and a never‑ending thirst for knowledge to everything he did.

Bill was a lifelong learner, earning his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and later, his law degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. After more than 30 years of dedicated government service, he followed his dream of practicing law, opening a private practice in Arlington, Virginia, where he worked until retirement. He held dear his roots in life and was proud of the accomplishments he made along the way.

Above all else, Bill valued his family. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Higgins Rhodes (Peggy) of Los Angeles, California; his sons, James Udell Rhodes (Jimmy) and wife Meredith of Chesterfield, Virginia, and Charles Carlisle Higgins Rhodes (Charlie) of Los Angeles, California; his daughter‑in‑law, Natasha Rhodes of Woodbridge, Virginia; one brother, Cecil Rhodes Jr. of Spadra, Arkansas; three sisters, Gailya Evans of Little Rock, Arkansas, Janelle Borel of Rosebud, Arkansas, and Rosemary Woolery of Mt. Vernon, Missouri; and his five beloved grandchildren, William Hamilton Rhodes III (Liam), Dylan Miles Rhodes, Peyton Olivia Rhodes, Declan James Rhodes, and Maeryn Lorraine Rhodes; as well as many nieces and nephews. As someone noted recently, everyone should have an “Uncle Bill” in their life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Bessie; his son, William Hamilton Rhodes II (Billy), whom he missed dearly; and his oldest sister, Patsy Mercer.

A funeral service will take place at 11 am on February 5 at Maddox Funeral Home, followed by a brief reception at The Trellis Venue nearby.  The family will have a private burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shenandoah National Park Conservation Association (NPCA), 777 6th Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20001. Bill spent decades visiting—and later living in—the Shenandoah Valley, a place he loved very much.