by Fred Seely
Editorial Director
Bill Maness said he knew the time would come to quit practicing law.
“Now is the time,” said the 89-year-old former judge. “I have another mission — to take care of my wife.”
Maness and wife Betsy were involved in a two-car accident last Sunday night and both spent the week in Baptist South. He’s headed home; she’s going to rehabilitation at the River Garden Hebrew Home.
“My life now is to take care of Betsy,” said Maness. “I have a few cases that I’ve been handling but I’ll get someone else to do those. My practice has ended.”
Maness has been a presence in the Jacksonville legal community for almost each of the 57 years he’s been practicing. He’s been active in the civil rights movement and he’s served as a judge. He has written five books and a sixth is underway. If he’s serious about quitting, then someone else will take the mantle of being the city’s oldest practicing attorney.
“It’s been a wonderful life,” he said from his hospital bed as he awaited his discharge. “A wonderful life, a wonderful career. But, my wife needs me more than the law.”
The two were at a church social on the westside and took the Buckman Bridge over to the southside, where they exited at Old St. Augustine Road. As they pulled into the intersection, a car estimated by witnessed as traveling 60 miles per hour rammed them on Mrs. Maness’s side of the car.
Maness walked away with contusions and bruises. She suffered a cracked pelvis and other internal injuries that still haven’t been determined.
“She has a long way to go,” said Maness. “Ironic — the accident happened within view of the Hebrew Home.”
He said that he’s been awaiting the call to retirement.
“There comes a time and I knew it would come,” said Maness. “And, I knew that I would realize it when that call came. It’s come.”