Education
Compton was a native of Ashland in Hanover County, Virginia, and graduated from Ashland High School in 1946.
Compton was a native of Ashland in Hanover County, Virginia, and graduated from Ashland High School in 1946.
Compton earned his Bachelor of Arts in history and politics from Washington and Lee in 1950 and his Bachelor of Laws from the Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1953. While at Washington and Lee, Compton served as president of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, class officer and captain of the basketball team Compton served in the United States. Navy from 1953–1956 and the United States. Naval Reserve from 1953-1961.
He practiced law in Richmond with May, Garrett, Miller, Newman and Compton from 1957-1966.
In 1966, Government. Mills Godwin appointed Compton to the Law & Equity Court of the City of Richmond and then to the Supreme Court of Virginia in 1974. The General Assembly re-elected him to another term in 1987.
He retired from the Supreme Court in February 2000 and began service as a senior justice. Compton maintained strong ties to Washington and Lee throughout his career.
He served as president of the Alumni Association from 1972-1973.
He received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from his alma mater in 1975. He selected most of his law clerks from the top graduates of Washington and Lee School of Law. Compton was married to Betty Stephenson Compton for 52 years until his death.
He was also a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, the lacrosse team, Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity, the University Glee Club and the Cotillion Club. He served member of the Board of Trustees from 1978-1989.