Lincoln County political boss

Wylie Stowers dead at 79
Longtime Lincoln County Democratic leader Wylie Stowers died Wednesday at St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington.
By Tom Searls
Staff writer
Longtime Lincoln County Democratic leader Wylie Stowers died Wednesday at St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington.

While no cause of death was released, Stowers, 79, had been in poor health for several years and had relinquished the county Democratic chairmanship he held over three decades.

Stowers served only one term as Lincoln County sheriff, but influenced elections in Lincoln County and West Virginia for decades. He was first elected county chairman in 1974 and held on to the post until stepping aside to be state party vice chairman in 1987. A few years later, he returned to the county post.

He headed the Stowers, or "school board," faction of the Democratic Party in Lincoln County. That faction often butted heads with another faction after Stowers split with his former political ally, Lloyd Jackson Sr., a former state Senate president.

Jackson declined to comment Wednesday on his old rival's death.

Other politicians - many who sometimes squabbled with Stowers - were quick to praise him Wednesday.

U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller called him "an unmatched fixture" in the state. He and Stowers worked together in many elections, but butted heads on more than one occasion. Rockefeller is a longtime political ally of Jackson's son, former state senator Lloyd Jackson II.

Rockefeller and Jackson fought with the Stowers faction in 1988 when they supported eventual governor Gaston Caperton over Stowers' pick, former House of Delegates Speaker Clyde See.

"[Stowers] was absolutely devoted to his family, his state and to his home of Lincoln County," Rockefeller said Wednesday. "He was a dear and trusted friend of mine - and his friendship, support and counsel will always mean so much. My thoughts and prayers are with Wylie's beloved family, and his extended family of many close friends."

Only Boone County's John Protan served longer than Stowers as head of a county's Democratic Party, several politicos said.

"He was part of what [Tom] Brokaw called the greatest generation," said Pat Maroney, former state party chairman and current party national committeeman.

He recalled Stowers telling him of his World War II experiences and how he returned to Hamlin and became an ambulance driver.

"Then through hard work he developed his own successful business," Maroney said. Stowers headed Stowers & Sons trucking company and was involved in several other businesses over the years.

Longtime Lincoln County Democratic leader Wylie Stowers died Wednesday at St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington.

While no cause of death was released, Stowers, 79, had been in poor health for several years and had relinquished the county Democratic chairmanship he held over three decades.

Stowers served only one term as Lincoln County sheriff, but influenced elections in Lincoln County and West Virginia for decades. He was first elected county chairman in 1974 and held on to the post until stepping aside to be state party vice chairman in 1987. A few years later, he returned to the county post.

He headed the Stowers, or "school board," faction of the Democratic Party in Lincoln County. That faction often butted heads with another faction after Stowers split with his former political ally, Lloyd Jackson Sr., a former state Senate president.

Jackson declined to comment Wednesday on his old rival's death.

Other politicians - many who sometimes squabbled with Stowers - were quick to praise him Wednesday.

U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller called him "an unmatched fixture" in the state. He and Stowers worked together in many elections, but butted heads on more than one occasion. Rockefeller is a longtime political ally of Jackson's son, former state senator Lloyd Jackson II.

Rockefeller and Jackson fought with the Stowers faction in 1988 when they supported eventual governor Gaston Caperton over Stowers' pick, former House of Delegates Speaker Clyde See.

"[Stowers] was absolutely devoted to his family, his state and to his home of Lincoln County," Rockefeller said Wednesday. "He was a dear and trusted friend of mine - and his friendship, support and counsel will always mean so much. My thoughts and prayers are with Wylie's beloved family, and his extended family of many close friends."

Only Boone County's John Protan served longer than Stowers as head of a county's Democratic Party, several politicos said.

"He was part of what [Tom] Brokaw called the greatest generation," said Pat Maroney, former state party chairman and current party national committeeman.

He recalled Stowers telling him of his World War II experiences and how he returned to Hamlin and became an ambulance driver.

"Then through hard work he developed his own successful business," Maroney said. Stowers headed Stowers & Sons trucking company and was involved in several other businesses over the years.

Maroney called Stowers' political style "actively engaging people," comparing him to the late Kanawha County politicos Sam MacCorkle and Marvin Crouch.

"He was of the same era as those guys," he said.

In 1996, Stowers' support of Charlotte Pritt was a big boost in her gubernatorial primary victory over Joe Manchin. Stowers later supported Manchin's successful 2004 gubernatorial bid.

"Wylie Stowers was a dear friend of my Uncle A. James and that's how I first came to know him," Manchin said Wednesday. "He will be remembered as someone who was always so gracious and welcoming, and his death is a loss not only to his family and to Lincoln County but to the entire state."

U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall called Stowers "a lion in Lincoln County for as long as I can remember." He said he would miss Stowers' "steadfast friendship."

"His enthusiasm, commitment to public service and love of West Virginia politics will be sorely missed in Lincoln County and throughout the state, but heaven is happier tonight with a new major to help train precinct captains to do the Lord's work," Rahall said.

Marie Prezioso, state Democratic committeewoman, said Stowers symbolized "a different time in politics," but was always gracious and kind.

"He liked politics and he liked working for candidates and getting them elected," she said.

Stowers was still county chairman when his son, Greg, pleaded guilty in 2005 to vote-buying in federal court. Greg Stowers, who was then Lincoln County's circuit clerk, testified he had done such activities from 1992 through 2004.

Part of Greg Stowers' plea agreement with federal prosecutors was that he would not have to testify against any member of his family. He spent six months in federal prison.

Seven other people - all member of the "Stowers faction" - were convicted of other electioneering offenses during that time.

Stowers' other son, Lyle, is vice chairman of the state Democratic Party. His wife, Mary Jane, also survives him. Funeral arrangements at Koontz Funeral Home in Hamlin were incomplete Wednesday evening.

Reach Tom Searls at tomsea...@wvgazette.com or 348-5198.