CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The public funeral service for state Supreme Court Justice Tim Armstead will take place in the House of Delegates Chamber next Tuesday.
Armstead died Tuesday of cancer. He was 60-years-old.
Armstead, who served 20 years in the House, will be remembered in visitation services from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The service will begin at 6 p.m.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey praised Armstead’s public service record during his appearance at the West Virginia Business Summit Thursday.
“We’d all agree that this was a guy that had his focus down right,” Morrisey said. “He was able to drill-down and every time you talked to him he knew his ethical bearing. He worked to subscribe to the rule of law and he cared about his family and his faith.”
Morrisey, who previously ordered flags fly at half-staff at state-owned property for Armstead, said he’ll use Armstead’s approach to the law as a model when he eventually fills his place on the High Court.
“I know when I think about people to place on the Supreme Court, I’ve been fortunate enough to have one pick and now sadly I have a second choice to make, I look to Tim Armstead as a wonderful model,” Morrisey said.
Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Bill Wooton issued an administrative order late Thursday declaring September 2, as a Day of Mourning in commemoration of memorial services for all offices operating within the West Virginia Judicial System.
“Tim Armstead was cherished by colleagues across the judicial branch, and his sudden passing has been a shock to us all, “Wooton said. “This Day of Mourning will allow judicial officers and employees to take time to celebrate Tim’s life, to express our deepest condolences to his family, and to reflect upon and honor his remarkable service to our state.”
Armstead became House Speaker in 2015. He was appointed to the state Supreme Court in 2018. He won a 12-year term in 2020.