Robert Gene “Bob” Ashley, 70, of Spencer, West Virginia, died shortly after midnight on May 15, 2024, at CAMC-Memorial, following a brief illness.
Bob was born on Independence Day, July 4, 1953, the son of the late Gene M. Ashley and Kathleen Harris Ashley. He graduated from Spencer High School in 1971 and from Marshall University in 1975, receiving a business degree. He had numerous jobs, working for Leonard Starcher’s floral shop, Carper’s Restaurant, Hardman’s, and Hometown Flowers and Gifts, before starting Ashley Insurance Agency, which he operated for a number of years.
He was also a proud public servant. Following in his father’s footsteps, he was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates and later appointed to the West Virginia State Senate, serving for a total of thirty (30) years. Most recently, Bob had been a part-time regional representative for Governor Jim Justice’s administration. Before that, he had been the administration’s legislative director.
Bob was actively involved in his community and served in various capacities with the Spencer Chamber of Commerce, the Roane County Economic Development Authority, Allohak Council of Boy Scouts of America, Roane County Republican Executive Committee, and Spencer Rotary, just to name a few. He was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church. Whether it was his work in the statehouse, in business, in his community, or for his family, he lived his life devoted in service to others.
On May 30, 1981, he was united in marriage to Anita Harold Ashley. They were the proud parents of two adult sons, Benjamin Scott Ashley and his wife, Suzette Raines Ashley, and Samuel David Ashley and his wife, Jill Lansden Ashley. He was most proud of his grandchildren, Alaina Yvonne Ashley, Faye Kathleen Ashley, and Harold Lewis Ashley. Bob is also survived by his sister, Mary Jo Ashley, his aunt, Rosemary Martin, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Steve and Renee Harold, and several cousins.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at the West Virginia Culture Center at the State Capitol in Charleston on Monday, May 20, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Roane County High School. The funeral will be at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Spencer. Burial will follow in the Amma Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Roane County College Scholarship Foundation, Inc., c/o Paul Hughes, 804 Summit Street, Spencer, West Virginia 25276.
| CHARLESTON, WV — Gov. Jim Justice released the following statement regarding the passing of Bob Ashely, who served in his administration as a regional representative and legislative director. Ashley was also a previous member of the West Virginia House of Delegates and West Virginia Senate. “Cathy and I are truly heartbroken about Bob’s passing, and we’ll continue praying for his entire family. Bob never met a stranger and was an amazing person. He served this State for decades as a delegate, a senator, and as my legislative director and a regional representative. I know that our friends in the House and Senate would agree he had a unique ability to connect with everyone. I never saw Bob without a smile, as he had an unmatched love for life and his work. He was someone you could always rely on, and we will remember Bob with nothing but fond memories. We ask all West Virginians to keep his family in your prayers.” |
