THE SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA JUDICIAL COMMUNITY IS REELING FROM THE NEWS THAT AN APPEALS JUDGE FROM ABINGDON HAS DIED. JUDGE J. EMORY WIDENER DIED YESTERDAY AT HIS HOME. HE WAS 83. PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON APPOINTED WIDENER TO THE 4TH CIRCUIT COURT IN 1972 AND HE REACHED SENIOR STATUS IN JULY. ONE RETIRED JUDGE REMEMBERS HIM AS A LAWYER’S LAWYER AND AN ASTUTE STUDENT OF THE LAW. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVEN’T BEEN RELEASED AT THIS TIME.