The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia judged the West Virginia University College of Law’s Baker Cup Moot Court appellate advocacy competition in the Supreme Court Courtroom today, April 16, 2024. The winner was Katherine Whittington of Sissonville and the runner up was Tyler Keller of Moundsville. (J. Alex Wilson - Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia)

CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has announced the death of Justice Tim Armstead today following a brief hospitalization.

Armstead was 60.

“Tim Armstead is a sterling example of the best of West Virginia,” said Chief Justice William R. “Bill” Wooton. “In an all-to-short life his public service accomplishments are legendary. He served 20 years in the House of Delegates and was selected by his colleagues to lead that institution as its Speaker. And he served seven years as a Justice of our Supreme Court, including two years as Chief Justice. His abilities, talents and character were recognized by his colleagues, his neighbors, and his fellow West Virginians. Tim was elected to the House of Delegates ten different times and was twice elected statewide to the Supreme Court of Appeals. Throughout a lengthy period of public service Tim Armstead never lost an election.”

Justice Armstead was appointed to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia by Gov. Jim Justice and took office September 25, 2018. He was elected November 6, 2018, to retain the seat until the end of the term that ended December 31, 2020, and was re-elected on June 9, 2020, to a 12-year term that began January 1, 2021. He served as the Court’s chief justice in 2020 and 2024.

Prior to his service on the Supreme Court, Armstead spent several years in the West Virginia House of Delegates, including three years as Speaker of the House.