MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Former Monongalia County sheriff, magistrate and House of Delegates member Tony Barill died at the age of 90 Friday.
Barill was a lifelong resident of the Morgantown area and a 1952 graduate from St. Francis High School. After a short career at Sterling Faucet, he became involved in local politics and was elected as magistrate in 1980; in 1997, he was elected as Monongalia County Sheriff; and from 2010 to 2014, he represented District 51 of the House of Delegates.
“He was a fair magistrate; he did a good job down there and helped a lot of people with their problems,” Monongalia County Sheriff Perry Palmer said. “I worked with him again when he was elected sheriff for four years and he did a good job for our department too.”
Barill was also very active in programs for youth throughout the county, including the Big Brother Program.
“He helped so many kids by being involved in so many youth programs throughout the county,” Palmer said. “Peewee football and basketball—he’s truly going to be missed for everybody that knew him.”
Palmer said on the job, Barill cared about people and wanted to help as he could.
“I remember arresting people after they had been arrested and he always tried to help them. He asked them what they needed and tried to get them on a better path,” Palmer said. “He just did a good job all around.”
Calling hours are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 2 at the St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 3346 University Ave., Morgantown, from 11 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens.