Junior William West

A Mass of Christian burial to celebrate the life of Junior William “Bill” West, of Franklin, TN; formerly of Zwolle, LA will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 21, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 307 Hammond Street, Zwolle, Louisiana with Fr. Timothy Hurd officiating. Burial to follow the service in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held for “Bill” on Friday, July 21, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 9891 Texas Highway, Many, Louisiana.

Junior William West, 96, passed away peacefully Monday, July 10, 2023. Born, July 12, 1926, in Pine Prairie, Louisiana to Charlie R. West and Zeola (Carpenter) West. He married Joan L. West on May 17, 1952. Mom passed away February 29, 2008. He is survived by his children Michael (Rose) West of Hattiesburg, MS, Randy (Donna) West of Scottsdale, AZ, Dan (Mary) West of Fort Atkinson, WI, Mary Kay West of Franklin, TN; grandchildren, Amy West, Jason West, Amanda (Joseph) Graham and Seth (Jade) West; great grandchildren Mya Goplin-West, Dawson Graham, Amelia Graham and Ryder West; sisters Verlin Hanson of Biloxi and Betty (Pat) McCann of Pineville, LA, brother and sister in law; Don and Marilynn Hauch of Racine, WI. Preceded in death by mom, his parents, J.B. and Mercedes West, Eunice and JJ Williamson, Sam and Thelma West, Wilford and Marion West, Don Hanson, Wilfred and Virginia Willis, Jimmy and JoAnn West and Joseph and Betty Kowalsky.

Dad served in the United States Army during World War II from September 1944 to November 1946. With qualifications as rifle sharpshooter, he was in combat in the South Philippines. After the atomic bombs he was one of the first to arrive at Hiroshima, Japan.

After WWII he left Louisiana with his brothers to find work in Wisconsin. He met and married our mom in Racine, WI.  He worked at American Motors, then Walker Manufacturing where he retired. He frequently worked three jobs to support our family. He built our family home, worked on our cars and was an all-around handy man.  He was always a constant figure in our home and lives.  Always supporting our endeavors. He was a quiet, strong, dependable, humble man. He had a keen memory and a quick wit.

Family and friends always remember how he made them laugh. He was born during the Great Depression, and truly an example of a man of the Greatest Generation. He displayed to us the value in hard work, dedication, integrity, sacrifice and taking care of others.

In his free time, Dad enjoyed sports, was an avid hunter and a registered beagle breeder. Retiring at Toledo Bend Lake (Louisiana) gave him plenty of time to enjoy his favorite pastime, fishing.

There is no power on earth as strong as your Father’s Love, and our family feels extremely blessed to have been loved by Dad for so many years.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the National Council on Aging in Bill’s name.