Bluefield Daily Telegraph

BLUEFIELD — Charles Nathan “Butch” Blizzard, age 69, of Route 5 Box 723-B (Red Oak Ridge), Bluefield, W.Va., passed away on Sunday, June 27, 2010 at a Charleston hospital after a short illness.

Born on March 3, 1941 in Davy, he was a son of the late William C. and Margaret Ash Blizzard. 

He had been a resident of Red Oak Ridge since 1975 and of the Pentecostal Holiness faith.  He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force in 1963.  He played football for the Air Force while in Germany and was an amateur boxer. 

After returning to Bluefield, he served as a city patrolman.  In 1966, he moved to California and entered the San Diego Police Academy, one of the finest in the country.  He served as a police officer for the Chula Vista Police Dept. at that time.  He then returned to Bluefield, became Sergeant for the Bluefield City Police, and then was recruited by the WV State Police, where he graduated in 1968 and was stationed in Beckley. He later worked in Welch and Huntington for the State Police and then retired in 1995.  He was also a scuba diver for the State Police.

After his retirement as a Captain, he served as police chief for the Bluefield City Police from 1997-2006 and then was a candidate for the 2010 Mercer County Sheriff's race.  He conducted his life based on integrity. As a 42 year lawman, fairness was always of great importance.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, James Michael Blizzard; and brothers, Ronnie Blizzard and Billy Joe Blizzard.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Martha Faye Norton Blizzard of the home; son, William “Chuck” Blizzard of Bluefield; sisters, Joann Mayhle and husband Bill of Pennsylvania, Claudia Blevins and husband Mike of North Carolina; brothers, Jimmy Tolley and wife Bonnie of Ohio, Charles Clay and wife Wanda of Florida.

Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, July 1, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel in Bluewell with Chaplain Jim Mitchell of the WV State Police officiating.

Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell where the WV State Police will serve as honor guard and pallbearers.

Friends may call on Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Online condolences will be accepted at www.cravens-shires.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Teen Challenge in Athens, W.Va.

Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is serving the family.