1923 ~ 2004
Our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Warren Milton West has answered the calling to return to our Heavenly Father on the night of May 5, 2004. He passed peacefully at Lakeview Hospital in Bountiful, Utah.
Warren was born on February 2, 1923 in Oroville, WA to his parents, Frank and Florence West. Warren grew up with his family including four sisters in the Methow Valley area of Washington. Upon graduation from Winthrop High School in 1941, he served in the U.S. Forest Service as firewatch until attending Washington State University in Pullman, WA. Warren attended WSU until he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Warren was the 13th person to enlist in the 10th Mountain Division when it was formed, and served meritoriously until his discharge in December of 1945 at the conclusion of the World War II. Warren was in the 10th in northern Italy and received the Bronze Star and numerous other commendations for his service above and beyond the call of duty. Warren then attended the University of Minnesota - Carlson Business school where he received his Bachelor of Business.
While at the U of M, he met Betty Rose Wilkin and they were married February 19, 1949. They have two sons, William W. West Sr. (Patricia) and Dr. Thomas Bruce West (Victoria). While still living in Minnesota, Warren was involved in the early stages of computers during the 50's, 60's and 70's as a senior system analysis. In the early 70's his wife Betty Rose had a long struggle with cancer. Ending with her death on her birthday, October 13, 1974. On January 31st of 1976, Warren re-married to Kathleen Painter. In the fall of 1979, he said the "heck with it all", bought a new Peterbilt, and went trucking for the rest of his working years.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Florence West, his first wife Betty Rose (Wilkin) West, his second wife Kathleen (Painter) West, his sisters, Eleanor Martin and Irene Grassie; daughter, Susan (Hough) Walker, and granddaughter Sara Jane Hill. He leaves behind his two sisters, Waneta Strong and Wanda Chandler (Wayne) and two sons, William W. West Sr., and Dr. Thomas B. West; daughter Kathleen (Painter) Cousineau (Henry). To also include grandchildren: William W. West, Jr., Thomas Turner (Joanna), Terry Turner (Michelle), Danny Turner, Marcie (Turner) Furse (Jeremey), Lucas John West, Isabella Rose West, Amie Elizabeth West, Michelle Cousineau, Danielle Cousineau, Brian Cosineau, Valerie Pechtl-Walker, Doug Walker and 13 great-grandchildren and his nieces and nephews.
Warren's passions and hobbies were people and good conversation, gardening (especially roses), woodworking, flying (a pilot in his younger years), and crossword puzzles. Warren recently became a member of the LDS Church and was looking forward to entering the Temple. Warren also served as a Mason/Shriner for over 50 years.
Services will be held Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at the West Bountiful Stake Center located at 1930 North 600 West in West Bountiful, Utah. This celebration will begin promptly at 5:00 p.m. with a color guard presentation by the Disable Veterans of America and VFW to include a verbal presentation of Warrens honors, a flag folding and a 21 gun salute. This will be followed by an open house in the Stake Center until 7:00 p.m. at which time the funeral services will begin also at the Stake Center. Interment will be next to his wife Betty Rose in the Riverside Cemetery in Winnebago, Minnesota. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Shriner's for the Children's Hospitals they support.
The light of a distant star continues to reach the earth long after the star itself is gone. <! >