W. Glover Garner, Jr. died on January 7, 2026, surrounded by loved ones at Riverside Hospital. He was born to Virginia (Kirby) Garner and Walter G. Garner, Sr. in Newport News and was a lifelong Peninsula resident. He graduated from Warwick High School in 1950. An outstanding athlete, he earned letters in football, basketball, baseball and tennis. He was a member of the All-Tidewater football team. He also played catcher for the American Legion baseball team and won the Peninsula Junior Tennis Championship in 1949. In addition to sports, he also served in a variety of school leadership positions including vice president of the SCA, class president for two years and president of the Key Club.
Glover attended the University of Virginia where he studied economics. While there, he played varsity football and was a member of the boxing team, earning letters in both sports. He was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity, German Club, V-club, TILKA, the IMP Society and the Seven Society. He graduated from UVa law school in 1956 and returned to Newport News where he practiced law for over 50 years with the law firm of Marshall, Blalock, Garner and Millner for the majority of his career. He was actively involved in a variety of local organizations. He served as president of the Peninsula United Fund, chairman of the Newport News chapter of the American Red Cross, president of the Hampton Roads Jaycees, president of the Peninsula chapter of the UVa Alumni association and president of the Peninsula Arts Association. He was a finalist for Outstanding Young Man of the Year (Peninsula) in 1963 and 1964.
After graduating ROTC, he served 7 ½ years in the US Army Reserve and was honorably discharged as a captain. Glover was an active member of the Newport News, Virginia and American Bar Associations in which he served as member of council VA State Bar 1969-1975, chairman of the Committee of State and Federal Rules of Procedure, lecturer in Continuing Legal Education and past chairman of First District Committee Virginia State Bar. He was also a longtime member of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Newport News and served there as a deacon.
Glover was a devoted husband and family man who loved to follow UVa and local sports. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of sixty years, Anita S. Garner and grandson Stephen Chapman. He is survived by his brother Wallace K. Garner, MD (Barbara) of Newport News, VA; his children Elizabeth Garner Chapman (Kermit) of Raleigh, NC and W. Glover Garner III, MD (Karen) of Gainesville, FL; grandchildren Matthew, Daniel, and Joseph Chapman and Brian, Rachel, David, James, and John Garner. He is also survived by sister-in-law Ann H. Snead of Williamsburg, VA as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank Riverside Hospital as well as the doctors and nurses and other employees who assisted and managed his care. A private memorial service was held among family members to commemorate his wonderful life. The family also wishes to thank Peninsula Funeral Home and Pastor Lynwood Wells of Hilton Baptist Church for their assistance in the service. Those wishing to make a contribution in Glover’s memory may donate to the Riverside Foundation, 608 Denbigh Blvd. Suite 700, Newport News, VA 23608 or to a favorite charity of choice.