Walter C. Pellish

Walter C. Pellish passed away peacefully at home on the evening of February 11, 2017 surrounded by family. He did “not go gently into that good night,” rather he fought his illness with every fiber of his being to celebrate the time he was granted.

Walter is survived by his wife, Susan (Riss) Pellish; his two daughters, Beth Pellish and Susan (Pellish) Thaler and her husband, Donnie; his son Jonathan Pellish and his wife Claire Mahoney; his two grandchildren, Stephanie and Saxon Thaler; his stepson Lorne Gerhart; his niece Alyssa (McKittrick) Voice, her husband Bill Voice, their children and nephew Ken McKittrick; and the rest of his family and friends. His sister, Ann McKittrick of Tucson, Arizona, predeceased him in 2013.

He was born to Walter and Veronica Pellish on November 26, 1940 in Shamokin, Pennsylvania.

Walt graduated from Pennsylvania State University and pursued a career in Human Resources and Labor Relations. He retired from U.S. Silica as the Vice President of Administration after thirty-nine years of service. During his tenure he served as Chairman of the National Industrial Sand Association’s (NISA) Silicosis Prevention Program, overseeing a national program in the sand industry to prevent the onset of silicosis. He also served on numerous other NISA committees over the years.

Walt was very active in public service and represented the community on numerous boards and committees. He served on the boards of the United Way, the Jefferson Schools Education Foundation, the West Virginia University Healthcare Foundation, and was made an honorary board member of Hospice of the Panhandle. He was appointed by Governor Joe Manchin III to serve on the West Virginia Workers Compensation Industrial Council. In October 2016, he was named a “Distinguished Mountaineer” by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.

Walt served as a County Commissioner representing the Shepherdstown District in Jefferson County from 2011 through the end of 2016 and was proud of his accomplishments in economic development, fiscal management, and improving the lives of all county citizens.

He was very active in sports, and especially loved the game of golf. He served on the board of Cress Creek’s Men’s Golf Association for almost all the years he was a member of the club. He was a huge Nittany Lions fan and a great admirer of Joe Paterno. He applied many of Joe’s teachings to his own life.

Walt donated his remains to the West Virginia Medical School, so there will not be a funeral or interment. A private memorial for family and close friends will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Panhandle, the West Virginia University Healthcare Foundation, or the Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County.