CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – Eighth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Carrie L. Webster today announced the appointment of William “Bolts” Willis as Magistrate in Kanawha County Division 6, filling the vacancy created following the March 4 death of Magistrate Joe Shelton.
A resident of Pratt, Willis is president of United Mine Workers of America Local 8843. He worked in the administrations of Gov. Jay Rockefeller and Gov. Gaston Caperton, and also for the United Mine Workers of America International Union for 8 years, teaching conflict resolution to miners across the United States.
Willis has also worked for the past 10 years as a high school teacher and previously taught at WVU Tech for 16 years.
In the community, he has served as a volunteer firefighter and was Assistant Chief of the Handley Volunteer Fire Department. He has also invested his time with local youth as a basketball referee and softball umpire.
Willis is scheduled to begin his service as Magistrate on June 2, 2026.
