George S. Weaver Jr. died peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Monday, June 22nd, at the age of 92.
Born May 29, 1934, George was a lifelong resident of Wheeling, WV. He attended Wheeling Country Day School and Linsly Military Institute before heading to Salisbury School in Connecticut – arriving in an old Studebaker convertible he kept hidden in a local barn. Following some time at Yale University, he continued his education at the University of Massachusetts Stockbridge School of Agriculture, pursuing two lifelong passions: farming and hometown sweetheart, Shirley Weaver.
George began his career on Virginia Hurst, the family farm, while serving as President of the Ohio County Farm Bureau. As his family grew, he decided he’d better ‘go to town,’ and began a career in wealth management and investments. After rising to Vice President of Bache & Co. and serving on its Worldwide Council of Branch Managers, his entrepreneurial instincts led him to invest in Hazlett, Burt & Watson, Inc. As President and CEO, he helped build the firm, guiding it to a seat on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2000, he assembled a coalition of investors to establish Security National Trust, a federally chartered trust company. Throughout his career, George had a rare talent for building coalitions, forging partnerships and seeing possibilities where others saw obstacles. He delighted in creating opportunities and bringing ambitious ventures to life.
Public service was a constant throughout George’s life. Elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1962, he remained deeply involved in civic and political affairs, serving as a VIP Page, Alternate Delegate, and representative to national political conventions. He also chaired both the Ohio County Republican Executive Committee and the “Draft Goldwater” campaign.
George quietly provided leadership to many of the institutions that shaped the Wheeling community. Over the years, he served as President of the Board of Trustees of Ohio Valley Medical Center; Chairman of Ohio Valley Health Services & Education Group; President of Oglebay Institute; President of the Wheeling Society for Crippled Children; Trustee of Sandscrest Foundation and Lawrencefield Parish Church; and Director of The House of Friendship and Wheeling Country Day School. He believed deeply in giving back and devoted countless hours to strengthening organizations that served others.
While George’s professional and civic achievements were many, his heart belonged to his family, the mountains, and skiing. George and Shirley loved to travel, but the American West – with its vast slopes and big skies – was their second home. George took his final runs on the ski slopes at the age of 87.
To his large and ever-growing family, George was the bedrock. With his sharp intellect, natural curiosity, integrity and generous heart, he led through example. His legacy lives on not only in the communities he served, but in the values he instilled in those he loved.
He is survived by Shirley McElhinney Weaver, his wife of 71 years, and four children: George Weaver III (Ann), John Weaver (Bridget), David Weaver (Beth), Mary Renner (Tad). Twelve grandchildren: Cary Ghetler (Dave), Cullen Wold (Court), Helen Valiant (Dan), George Weaver IV, John Weaver Jr. (Susan), Thomas Weaver (Ottavia), Henry Weaver, Eleanor Weaver (Landon), David Weaver Jr., Hurst Renner (Lillie Belle), Eleanor Clune (Ben), Elizabeth Renner, as well as thirteen great grandchildren.
The Weaver family will be eternally grateful to Elite Care for their unending patience, kindness and senses of humor as they cared for a sometimes cranky, always grateful, George and his family in his decline.
A Memorial visitation will be held from 4-6:00 on Friday, June 26 at Kepner Funeral Home at 900 National Rd. at Bethany Pike. Memorial Service at Lawrencefield Chapel at 11:00am on Saturday, June 27.
In lieu of flowers, George kindly asked that memorial contributions be made in his memory to the Shirley M. Weaver Cancer Research Fund #3R088, Attn: Brandon Cook, P.O. Box 9300, Morgantown, WV. 26059—9300.
