Edward H. Staats, Jr.

The State of West Virginia has lost one of its distinguished public servants and citizens. Edward Harlan Staats, Jr.,70, passed away quietly after a battle with cancer on December 9, 2016, surrounded by his family on his beloved Coon Run Farm. He graduated from Parkersburg High School serving as the Big Red Indian mascot in 1964. With scholarships, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from West Virginia University and became a Certified Public Accountant with Arthur Anderson Accounting Firm in Atlanta, Georgia. Staats was brought into state government under Governor Gaston Caperton’s administration to design and implement a program to turn around the State’s Workers Compensation Program, which was losing millions of dollars each month. As a result of the turn-around effort, the State received an increase in its credit rating and saved many millions over the years. He became the Chief Operating Officer for the State in 2001 under Governor Bob Wise’s administration. In June of 2004, he was awarded the Distinguished West Virginian Award for outstanding achievement and meritorious service. In 2010, Ed retired after serving his beloved State as Chairman of the Public Service Commission. He loved the mountains and the people of his home state and worked tirelessly to promote and improve it with his energy and dedication. He was the son of the late Edward Harlan Staats, Sr., and Maxine Staats. He was preceded in death by his wife Linda Louise (Wingrove) Staats in 2009. He is survived by his daughter, Shannon Staats of Georgia; his son, Edward H. Staats, III, (Niki) and his three granddaughters Kiki, Athena and Zoe of Parkersburg; his brothers, Mike and Ike; his sisters, Dee, Angie and Kris; and his life partner Linda Hanson. Although his home was on his farm near Ripley, he and Linda enjoyed the beach at their condo in Myrtle Beach and recent winters in Florida. His hobbies were golf, reading and spending time with his family and friends. In recent winters in Florida, he and Linda were active in the Cancer Support Ministry at First Baptist Church in Orlando. A memorial service to celebrate Ed’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at Waybright Funeral Home, Ripley. In lieu of flowers, friends may wish to consider making a charitable donation in his honor to whatever organization they wish to support. Online memories and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.waybrightfuneralhome.com