J. William Sarver, 81, of Vero Beach, passed away of cancer on Sept. 15, 2016.
He is survived by his wife Jeanne (nee Gross); his daughter Allison Poltorak (David); his son Andrew Barton “Bart” Sarver (Lauri); and his two granddaughters, Jessica and Erin Sarver.
He was predeceased by his parents, Charles Leasure Sarver and Tena Elizabeth Sarver, and his brother, Charles Robert “Bob” Sarver.
Sarver was a lawyer who served as Vice President and general counsel for C&P Telephone Co. of Maryland.
He was born I 1935 in Fairmont, W.Va. He received a BS in Economics in 1956 from West Virginia University. He received a law degree from WVU in 1962, after three years of active duty as a supply corps officer in the United States Navy. He served as a Lieutenant Commander, stationed in Port Lyautey, Morocco.
Sarver began his legal career in 1962 as the West Virginia State Income Tax Director. In 1964, he joined the Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company (Bell Atlantic, now Verizon) as an attorney, and held positions in Charleston, W.Va., and Washington, D.C. before becoming General Counsel for C&P of Maryland, in Baltimore, in 1971. He was a member of the American Bar Association, the Federal Communications Bar Association, and the Maryland State Bar Association. He was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and many other lower courts. He also served on the Maryland Governor’s Commission to Study Public Service Commission Law. Sarver retired in 1995.
Although he had a distinguished professional career, Sarver was known primarily for his love of family and friends, and his robust sense of humor. He married the love of his life, Jeanne, in 1960.
In retirement, Sarver and his wife split their time between Baltimore and Vero Beach. They travelled extensively, both within the US and internationally, with their family and many friends, who will always love him and carry many happy memories of fun times well spent with him.
A lifelong Lutheran, Sarver was a member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Towson, Maryland. In honor of his memory, and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Ascension Lutheran in his name.
Memorial services will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church, 7601 York Road, Towson MD 21204 on Sept. 24, at 11 a.m. A reception will follow. Interment will be private.
Online condolences may be shared at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.