Obituary

Joseph Lorentz Shelton, 86, passed away in Charleston, WV, on March 4, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones.

Joe was born in Clay County, WV.  After the passing of his mother at a young age, he was raised and mentored by his uncle Richard Shelton, founder of the West Virginia Association of Counties.

Shortly after graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Army, where he served proudly with the 101^st Airborne. In the early years of his career, Joe was a Police Officer for the City of Charleston before joining the Kanawha County Circuit Clerk’s Office. He attended both Morris Harvey College and West Virginia State College (now University) where he obtained a degree in criminal justice.  In 1976 he was elected in the first group of magistrates to serve in Kanawha County following the ratification of the West Virginia Judicial reorganization that replaced the state’s former justice of the peace system with the magistrate court system.

Joe transitioned his public service to the State of West Virginia where he served as the Deputy Commissioner at the WV Division of Highways from 1980 to 1997 and with the WV Treasurer’s Office from 1998 to 2003.   During his public service to the State of WV, he also served as a special assistant to both Governor Jay Rockefeller and Governor Gaston Caperton.  Joe also traveled the State with former State Treasurer John Perdue on many projects to bring development and prosperity to West Virginia.  During the last 22 years of his career, Joe continued his service as an elected official as a Kanawha County Magistrate where he served as Chief Magistrate several times.

He was immensely devoted to his work and still committed to returning to the bench even at the time of his passing.

Joe was an accomplished musician, with an incredible singing voice and accomplished guitarist.  You could often find him playing his guitar and singing songs by some of his favorites: Glen Campbell, Elvis, Garth Brooks and Johnny Cash.  When he sang a Johnny Cash song, if you weren’t looking, you would swear it was “The Man In Black” himself.  He co-owned the Hilo Bar/Restaurant in the seventies where music was center stage.  He played music across the valley taking the stage on weekends at the Country Jamboree on Summers Street that broadcast over the radio on weekends.  He also played many sets at the Longhorn Saloon singing and playing music with Gary and Billy Boggs and the Southern Mix Band.  He even got the privilege of singing with Willie Nelson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Blanche (Neal) Shelton; sisters, Norma King and Betty Holcomb, and brother, Charles “Sonny” Shelton.

Joe is survived by his wife Ceean Wade of Charleston; his children, Joseph L. Shelton II (Kelly) of Wellsburg, WV, Julie Craigo (Arnie) of Nitro, WV, Jon Shelton (Reyna) of Temecula, CA; four stepchildren who he loved as his own, Jason Wade (Jen) of Charleston, Christine Holstein (Eric) of Charleston, Tara Jordan (Travis) of Culloden, WV, and Mike Anderson (Amanda) of Charleston.

Eighteen grandchildren, Lauren Shelton-Stillson (Nick) of Hickory, NC, Justin Shelton of Atlanta, GA, Cody Shelton (Sarah) of St. Albans, WV, Chad Craigo (Kayla) of Red House, WV, Caren Campbell (Ricky) of Hurricane, WV, Aleena Marna (Nick) of San Diego, CA, Alyssa Cruz of Austin, TX, Alana Cruz of Morgantown, WV, Andrew Shelton of Temecula, CA, Jacob Shelton of West Palm Beach, FL, Levi Wade of  Nitro, WV, Jayleigh Wade of Charleston, WV, Jason Michael Holstein of Alum Creek, WV, Isaac Holstein of Charleston, WV, Owen Holstein of Charleston, WV, Ariana Anderson of Charleston, WV, Mattie Sosebee of Charleston, WV and Leighton Smith of Culloden, WV.

Six great-grandchildren, Lillianna Shelton, Mason Shelton, Harper Craigo, Ridgely Craigo, Jaileen Shelton, and Marley Shockey.

He also leaves behind his two cat buddies, Bubba and Bruno that he rescued from the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association Animal Shelter where he spent many hours visiting the animals.

He was a huge fan of WVU football, basketball and baseball. If he wasn’t at the courthouse or cutting grass, you would likely find him watching his beloved Mountaineers.  Joe also found time for hunting, boating, golfing and bowling.  He was a well-respected bowler back in the day with two perfect 300 games.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, 1118 Virginia Street East, Charleston, WV.

There will also be a one-hour visitation on Wednesday, March 11 at 11a.m. prior to the Funeral Service, also at the funeral home. The Funeral Service will be held at 12 noon, with Pastor Ollie Parsons and Travis Jordan officiating. Burial will follow at Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery in Dunbar, WV.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association Animal Shelter, 1248 Greenbrier Street, Charleston, WV  25311.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.