Judge W. H. Grimball was the son of lawyer John Grimball of Charleston, who was formerly a Lieutenant aboard the Confederate States ship “Shenandoah”, and of Mary Georgianna Barnwell Grimball. He was educated at the College of Charleston and Lehigh University, receiving a B.S. in 1906.
He studied law under Joseph W. Barnwell and was admitted to the Bar in 1909. He entered into partnership with Richard S. Whaley and Nathaniel B. Barnwell in 1913. He served as a Charleston City Councilman, Charleston City Attorney and as Solicitor of the Ninth Circuit.
In 1926, he was elected as Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, where he served for 31 years, until 1958. He was appointed as an Acting Associate Justice on the South Carolina Supreme Court on 17 occasions.
He was married to Miss Panchita Heyward and they had two lawyer sons, both of whom were legislators and one who became a Judge of the Fifth Circuit.
His keen mind, penetrating wit, and hospitable nature won him the respect and admiration of countless friends. He was a Vestryman of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Exalted Ruler of the Elks in South Carolina, member of the Carolina Yacht Club, the St. Andrews Society, the South Carolina Society and many fraternal orders.
An able and forceful jurist.