PORT ANGELES — Clallam County Superior Court Judge George L. Wood confirmed his retirement from the bench today. It will be May 31.

Because his current term doesn’t expire until January 2017, Gov. Jay Inslee will appoint a successor to serve on the bench until the November 2016 general election.

Wood, 66, began practicing law in Port Angeles in 1974 and was elected judge in 1992. He was re-elected without opposition in five separate elections.

The senior of three Superior Court judges in Clallam County, he said that he believes it’s the correct time to retire since fellow Judges Eric Rohrer and Christopher Melly “have both quickly embraced the challenges of their positions, and I leave the court in very capable hands.”