Tim Armstead

Timothy Paul Armstead (February 26, 1965 – August 26, 2025) was an American politician who served as a justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia from 2018 until his death. In 2024, he began his second term as the chief justice. He had earlier represented the 40th District (Kanawha County) in the West Virginia House of Delegates.^[1] In 2015, Armstead became the first Republican Speaker of the House of Delegates in 84 years, serving in the position until 2018. Armstead was originally from Clendenin, West Virginia.^[1]

Tim Armstead
Armstead in 2012
Chief Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
In office January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024
Preceded by	Beth Walker
Succeeded by	William R. Wooton
In office January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020
Preceded by	Beth Walker
Succeeded by	Evan Jenkins
Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
In office September 25, 2018 – August 26, 2025
Appointed by	Jim Justice
Preceded by	Menis Ketchum
Succeeded by	Vacant
Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates
In office January 14, 2015 – August 21, 2018
Preceded by	Tim Miley
Succeeded by	Roger Hanshaw
Minority Leader of the West Virginia House of Delegates
In office January 10, 2007 – January 7, 2015
Preceded by	Charles S. Trump
Succeeded by	Tim Miley
Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from the 40th district
In office September 1998 – August 21, 2018
Succeeded by	Dean Jeffries
Personal details
Born	Timothy Paul Armstead (1965-02-26)February 26, 1965 Charleston, West Virginia, U.S.
Died	August 26, 2025(2025-08-26) (aged 60) Morgantown, West Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Education	University of Charleston (BA) West Virginia University (JD)

Education

Armstead received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from the University of Charleston and a Juris Doctor from West Virginia University College of Law.^[2]

Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia

On August 25, 2018, Governor Jim Justice appointed Armstead to fill the vacancy by the retirement of Menis Ketchum.^[3] He was sworn in on September 25, 2018.^[4]

He was subsequently elected to the seat on November 5, 2018, to complete the term ending on January 1, 2021.^[5] He had stated that he would be a candidate for a full term of 12 years in the election which was held in May 2020. He served as chief justice in 2020, and became the chief justice again on January 1, 2024.^[6]

Death

Armstead died at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia, on August 26, 2025, at the age of 60. He had cancer at the time of his death.^[7]