U.S. Magistrate Judge John William Black III passed away. The 67-year old Black died this morning in Brownsville.

He'd been a lawyer since 1965 and started his practice in Brownsville that same year. He was sworn in as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in September 1992.

He is survived by his wife, three children and granddaughter.

A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, at The Episcopal Day School.