New court in Williamson County receives its first judge

The Williamson County Commissioners Court appointed Will Ward on Aug. 30 to serve as the first County Court at Law No. 5 judge.

The court made the final selection between two top candidates in its executive session.

“I feel that we selected the candidate that will do an exceptional job due to his long record of public service in the military and as a prosecutor,” said County Judge Bill Gravell, who voted in favor of the selection, in a news release.

Ward, who currently works as a felony prosecutor in the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office, previously worked in the Brazos County District Attorney’s Office and interned with the Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office. He graduated from the Texas Tech University Law School and the Virginia Military Institute.

The Texas Legislature created the new County Court at Law during its 87th session in 2021. The last time the Legislature created a new county court at law was in 2005.

“I’m humbled and honored to accept this appointment, and I promise to give my best to the citizens of Williamson County,” Ward said in a news release.

Ward served in the Marine Corps for nine years, earned the Bronze Star twice, a Navy and Marine Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service, a Navy and Marine Achievement Medal for superior performance in Iraq as well as a Combat Action Ribbon for performance of duties under fire in Iraq.

Ward will take the bench Oct. 1 and serve until the next general election Nov. 8.