While at Washington and Lee, Compton served as president of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, class officer and captain of the basketball team.
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 practiced law in Richmond with May, Garrett, Miller, Newman and Compton from 1957 to 1966.
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.