George W. Belknap

George W. Belknap, 103, of Cedarville, WV departed this life November 4, 2014 in Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV.

He was born in Old Field Fork in Lewis County, outside of Weston, WV, March 1, 1911, son of the late Dyer and Dora Bennington Belknap. The family soon moved to Sand Fork in Gilmer County. Being about 17 years old, he worked on the bridge being built across the Little Kanawha River coming into Glenville on Rt 33. He went from there to Harry Deckers Garage in Sand Fork for 13 years and taught himself to be an auto mechanic and drove one of the big new school buses in Gilmer County for three years. After three years he married Hazel Greenleaf of Cedarville on May 5, 1939. Soon after he was drafted into the navy for the last two years of World War II. When he was discharged he and his wife opened a country store and bought two large farms and raised cattle (85 to 95 heads) on them. He put up all the hay by himself and fed it to the cattle every day without help. They were honored for Farming For A Better Living about three years.

Hazel passed away in 1983 leaving George alone. Because of his failing health, he went to Morgantown, WV to live with his niece, Lillian Eddy the rest of his life. He made many friends in Morgantown during those years. His last four birthday, parties were held for him and pictures and write-ups were in the Morgantown Paper by Ron Rittenhouse and the Dominion Post the next morning. Never having lived where he could eat out often, he loved it. Every day he and Lillian went to Wendy’s where his 100th birthday party picture is placed on the wall. To get different foods, they went to Bob Evans in Westover ever day. He enjoyed all of the attention he got going there. In March 2008, Secretary of State, Betty Ireland, came from Charleston to the Glenville Courthouse to present George with a certificate and medal for being the oldest active voter in Gilmer County. He was 97 at the time. It would take a large book to hold all of his accomplishments in his 103 years.

Friends may call 5-8 p.m., Saturday, November 8th at the Ellyson Mortuary, Inc., where funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, November 9th at the Mortuary with Elder Larry Fisher officiating. Burial will follow in the Cedarville Cemetery at Cedarville with full military honors.

Ellyson Mortuary, Inc. is assisting the family of George W. Belknap with arrangements.