The life of former West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Elliott E. “Spike” Maynard will be honored across the state on Sunday.
According to a statement released on Friday, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has ordered State flags be displayed at half-staff across every State facility from dawn to dusk on Sunday, May 4, 2014, the day of services for Maynard.
“Justice Maynard served the people of West Virginia for many years as a justice and as a circuit court judge. I knew him personally during my time in the legislature,” Governor Tomblin said. “It’s a very sad day for his family and friends. Joanne and I offer our condolences.”
Maynard was born December 8, 1942 in Williamson, W. Va. and received his law degree from the West Virginia University School of Law in 1974.
He first served in West Virginia when he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Mingo County in 1976 and was re-elected to the position in 1980.
Then-Governor John D. Rockefeller, IV, appointed Maynard as Judge of the Thirtieth Judicial Circuit in 1981 and was elected and re-elected judge of that circuit until 1996, when elected to serve as a Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court.
He served in that position until 2008 and as Chief Justice of the Court in 2000, 2004, and 2008.
Maynard died Thursday night at Charleston Area Medical Center’s Memorial Hospital where he had been a patient since April 6.