Willocks sworn in as associate justice of Supreme Court

Harold W. L. Willocks, a dedicated steward of the Virgin Islands for three decades, pledged his oath to serve on the Virgin Islands Supreme Court during his investiture ceremony on Friday, where he stressed a need for the community to support its young people.

The ceremony, at Willocks’ request, was not held in a courtroom, but outdoors in historic Buddhoe Park. Friends and former colleagues who spoke at the ceremony, praised the decision to appoint Willocks, and promised to keep their words to a minimum in honor of Willocks, who is notorious for his brevity in non-court public appearances.

The list of speakers included Chief Supreme Court Justice Rhys S. Hodge and associate justices, Ive Arlington Swan and Maria M. Cabret. Superior Court Presiding Judge Debra S. Watlington, Administrative Judge Alphonso Andrews, Magistrate Judge Yolan Brow-Ross, who practiced in front of Willocks prior to becoming a judge, as well as Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach, also brought remarks. All highlighted Willocks’ diligent work, humility and as the saying goes, his ability to walk with kings and not lose the common touch.

Bryan, in a moment of levity, said that when he first met Willocks, he didn’t realize he was “important.” Years later, while helping his youngest daughter with a research project on the V.I. history book, “The Umbilical Cord”, he was able to boast that he knew the author. The book, on the history of the U.S. Virgin Islands, from pre-Columbian times to the present, is one of 20 written by Willocks, and one of three currently being used as textbooks at V.I. schools.