Tributes

Joseph Downey Parriott, age 91, of Moundsville, West Virginia - a Loving Husband, Industrial Engineer, U.S. Navy Veteran, Home Builder, Landlord, Humanitarian, Politician, Historian, Author, Community Activist - went to be with the Lord on April 14, 2024. Joe was born on February 15, 1933, in Marshall County, West Virginia to Raymond Walton Parriott, a farmer, and Flora Leah Downey, a teacher. Joe attended Park View, 1st Ward Grade School, and Moundsville High School. Joe graduated from West Virginia University in 1956 with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. In 1956 he was inducted into the U.S. Navy where he proudly served for 19 months. Joe returned to Marshall County following his service to his country, where he met the love of his life, Nellie L. Byrd. The two were married on June 29, 1968. After their marriage, Joe and Nellie traveled the world together side-by-side and with family. When they were not traveling, the two spent every day together at their home in Moundsville, West Virginia. Joe was employed at Wheeling Steel Corporation, Continental Can Company and Ormet Corporation, serving as an Industrial Engineer. For decades, Joe has built and purchased dozens of homes which made him most known as the local Landlord. Joe prided himself in public service, including the Salvation Army Advisory Board, CHANGE, Inc Board of Directors and served one term in the West Virginia House of Delegates. Joe’s family, the Parriott family, one of the oldest in Marshall County, participated in the formation of the county. Joe's great-great-great-grandmother, Martha (Clarke) Parrott, settled in Moundsville with her five children, following the death of her husband, Christopher Parrott, in 1820. He was a Revolutionary War Sergeant and died in Hampshire County (later Mineral County), (West) Virginia. Joe’s parents, Raymond and Flora, managed the Marshall County Infirmary, commonly called the "Poor House," from April 1939 until October 1946. As such, Joe devoted a large part of his life to recording local history. Joe believed that all Americans, particularly students, need to cultivate a thorough understanding of American history and believed that each generation learns and builds upon the wisdom of preceding generations. Joe wrote many books dedicated to Marshall County history and local Veterans, detailing the history of those 6,467 Marshall County, West Virginia men and women who served in World War II. Joe’s major service was that of the local Veterans, spending years of time, money and effort to have the Veteran’s Memorial erected at the Marshall County Courthouse. Joe was highly regarded in Marshall County for his major contributions to the preservation of the county history. Along with his loving wife (Nellie) of 55 wonderful years together, Joe is survived by his beloved family members including David W. Byrd of South Charleston, West Virginia; David, Virginia and Trevor Flick of State College, Pennsylvania; Margaret Cullings of Crofton, Maryland; and Andrew and Christina Byrd, along with their children, Connor and Charlotte of South Charleston, West Virginia. Joe is also survived by his special friends Colette Trader and her partner Matthew Lydick; Jodie Whitlatch and his partner Kerensa Walker; Linda Cunningham Fluharty; Thomas James and James Stultz. Joe also has numerous cousins, friends, colleagues and tenants (past and present) that will surely miss Joe’s presence. A Celebration of Life service for Joe will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Grisell’s Funeral Home, 400 Jefferson Ave., Moundsville, West Virginia. The family will receive friends one (1) hour prior to service at the funeral home from 12:00 p.m. – 1 p.m. A luncheon will be held at Simpson United Methodist in Moundsville, West Virginia immediately following the service. Graveside services are reserved for family members only.

Tributes

Joseph Downey Parriott

February 15, 1933 - April 14, 2024