MORGANTOWN, W.Va.– Former long-time Monongalia County Sheriff Charlie Whiston has died.
Whiston had also served two terms as Westover Mayor and on the Monongalia County Commission.
The sheriff’s last term ended in 1980, 2 years after he hired current Monongalia County Sheriff Al Kisner as a young deputy.
“I was a 20 year old, wet behind the ears still. But, he gave me an opportunity. I learned a lot from him too. He was a very nice man, very civic oriented,” remembered Kisner.
In 2012, Whiston was recognized at a ceremony naming the Westover exit along Interstate 79 in his honor.
Names were Whiston’s thing said Kisner.
“Once he met you, you didn’t have to tell him what your name was again. He would remember your name from then on. I was always amazed that he had the ability to do that.”
In recent years, Kisner recalled attending Whiston’s birthday celebration. He said his mentor and former boss was a crooner too.
“97 years old. Here’s this man that still has all of his faculties and is able to sing this song to all the people attended his birthday instead of us singing to him.”
It wasn’t uncommon to see Whiston, a friend of former WVU basketball coach Gale Catlett, supporting local athletics at all levels.
“He was very supportive of WVU athletics and high school athletics as well.”
According to Kisner, Whiston would have turned 100 in February.
Derings-Henson Funeral Home on Foundry Street in Morgantown is handling arrangements.