“There are several auctioneers from two or three states participating. They give an opportunity for the public – families of people competing and other bystanders - to vote on who they like the best and there is also a panel of five judges pick who they like the best. Sometimes it turns out that the judges’ pick is different from the people’s choice, but this year they were in unison,” Spiker said. “It’s very competitive and I feel real fortunate winning it, especially at my age. It’s nice to add it to my resume. I feel very honored to win because there were a lot of good auctioneers there.”

 

Spiker has captured calling championships in other states, but this is his first – and only – win in the West Virginia Auctioneers Bid Calling Championship.

 

“Once you win it, they don’t allow you to participate again,” he said.

 

Spiker has been in auctioneering for 54 years.

 

“I went to auction school in 1970, but I have loved auctioneering since I was a kid,” he said.

 

Spiker grew up in Weston, the son of a county agriculture agent.

 

“So naturally, I spent a lot of time with him,” he said.

 

Though not raised on a farm, Spiker began working on a farm as a boy.

 

“I worked for 50 cents an hour in the hayfield, sheered sheep and did other jobs,” he said. “I always dreamed of owning that farm.”

In 1978, Spiker did purchase that 650-acre Jane Lew farm.

 

“Then, 15 years later, I found out that six generations ago, my great, great-grandfather had settled there and was buried in a cemetery on the farm,” he said.

 

He continues to live on the farm, where he and his wife raised their four children, Jonelle, John Bob, Byron and David.

 

He has raised cattle and sheep for many years. He currently has 150 head of cattle. He and his son David have shared the sheep raising venture through the years.

 

Spiker has 47 years of farm experience and is also a veterinarian.

 

“I don’t hang a shingle anymore, but I’m still available. “Just this week, I neutered cats for the Ritchie and Doddridge County Humane Society. I check cows all year long and run several rabies clinics.”

 

He has judged cattle and market lamb shows for approximately 10 years throughout West Virginia and Pennsylvania on the county and state levels. Spiker markets purebred Angus and Club calves throughout West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. His family also holds an annual club lamb sale every April.

 

Spiker is a member of the WVAA Hall of Fame. He is also past president of the organization. He has been in the auction business for 50-plus years. He has been licensed in 23 different states and has been one of the most sought-after purebred cattle auctioneers in the east. He is a licensed real estate agent and specializes in Land, Farm and Machinery auctions, Brokered by D. Anthony Kaufman in Bridgeport. He has been part of the staff there for six years.

 

John and Sue Ann (pictured with him, above) are active members of Jewel City Church in Shinnston.

 

Spiker can be found on the block selling cattle, farm or machinery throughout the State of West Virginia. He has also adopted the latest forms of auctions using online and multi-parcel software to sell farm and commercial real estate.

 

"I've been very blessed," he said.

 

Established in 1961, the West Virginia Auctioneers Association is the premier organization for West Virginia Auctioneers.  The organization welcomes auction members from West Virginia and other states who do business and are licensed to conduct auctions in the state. Its goals are to support members by providing educational opportunities such as the Annual Convention and act as a voice for members in the changing auction climate for auctioneers, as well as to become a trusted voice for professional auctioneers in West Virginia.