William C. Westfall Jr.

March 8, 1949 - June 26, 2011

Bill Westfall was born in Buckhannon, West Virginia. He was the oldest child of Jaunita Rose McDaniels Westfall and William Cooper Westfall. Bill loved his parents deeply and was extremely proud and grateful for the tremendous example of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication to family that his mother and father provided throughout his life. Bill attributed all the success he enjoyed in his life directly to the lessons learned from a loving Mom and Dad.

Bill grew up in Northern Ohio, his parents moving there for better employment opportunities. He remained closely tied to his family in West Virginia and was proud to call the Mountain State his birthplace. He graduated from Elyria High School in Elyria, Ohio in 1967 and attended Ohio State University for one year after graduation. Summer of 1968 saw Bill leave school, much to the dismay of his parents. World events, the War in Viet Nam, and a series of events on campus during that very turbulent summer caused him to reconsider his own direction in life. Bill enlisted in the Marine Corps in the fall of 1968. Bill would tell you, and would tell you often, it was the most formative decision of his life. Bill loved everything about the Marine Corps, particularly the endless opportunities it provided him. He was commissioned in late 1969 and spent over 22 wonderful years living a dream. By the time he retired in 1990, he had graduated from Auburn University, had picked up two Master’s Degrees along the way, had spent a thrilling lifetime in Marine aviation as a Naval Flight Officer, “cross trained” back to Marine Infantry as a field grade officer and commanded two companies at the Basic School - the first aviator to do that, commanded a squadron, graduated with “highest distinction” from the United States Naval War College, and served his country and his Corps in key positions during the Reagan - Bush years in Washington. His award winning study on the Insurgency in Mozambique and the positions he developed and championed during the early post Cold War discussions on restructuring U.S. military forces were several of the many accomplishments Bill was proudest of.

Bill met the love of his life, his “one True North” and his “Guardian Angel” while attending Flight School in Pensacola. Bill and Brenda (formerly Brenda Watt of Pensacola) were married in March 1971. Their achievements, and they were numerous in both the military and civilian worlds, were always accomplished together and were the results of two people working together to become more than either could have been individually. “I never thought I deserved Brenda, and I thank God for every second he gave us together.”

In retirement, Bill started a new career, serving proudly with A.G. Edwards in Pensacola for nearly 20 years; helping to build and ultimately manage one of the most successful branches in the nationwide network of that very successful firm. He was an officer of the firm, an advisory member of several company leadership panels, and a frequent speaker at A.G. Edwards training events for building a successful practice and for managing successful branches. After A.G. Edwards was sold to Wells Fargo Advisors, Bill stepped down from management to focus on his clients and develop his investment team alongside his son-in-law Jason Lombardo and close friend and fellow Marine Michael Tylavsky III.

Bill and Brenda would both tell you that the best thing they did in life was raise two wonderful daughters - Kristi and Sheree. Bill was so proud of both. Kristi continued Bill’s legacy of service and Bill was recently able to witness her selection to Lt. Col. in the U.S. Air Force. Sheree continued his love of teaching as an elementary school teacher. He was very proud of his son-in-laws, Jason and Chris, who also served in the U.S. Air Force. Besides loving his family and his friends with all his heart, Bill loved spending time with his grandchildren, watching Auburn football, spending time at Moo-Bear Landing, traveling with Brenda, and driving his Rocket 1 corvette.

Bill is survived by his dear wife of 40 years: Brenda; his two daughters: Kristi (Chris) Beckman; and Sheree (Jason) Lombardo; four grandchildren: Zackary Beckman; Zyler Beckman; Cade Lombardo; and Sarah Lombardo. He is further survived by his mother and father: Jaunita Westfall; and William Cooper Westfall Sr.; brother and sister: Debbie (Dave) LaChance; Dan (Penny) Westfall; and mother-in-law: Jean Burkett; sister-in-law: Barbara (Tim) Woolf; and brother-in-laws: Richard (Lisa) Watt; and Fred (Kathy) Burkett; as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Bill’s favorite verse was Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as EAGLES they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Bill lived his life to the fullest every day. He said, “I decided long ago that there was a day out there that had my name on it and when it came there was very little I’d have to do about it and that’s how I’ve tried to live.”

The family is thankful for the amazing care he received from the Sacred Heart Cancer Center under Dr. Thomas Sunnenberg and the incredible staff of Covenant Hospices, especially Kathy, Sue, Elza, Doug, Cindy, Stacy, and Connie.

Bill’s visitation will be held Tuesday, July 5, 2011, at Woodbine United Methodist Church from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 6, 2011, at Woodbine United Methodist Church beginning at 10:00 a.m. followed by a service at Barrancas National Cemetery with military honors at 12:30 pm. Arrangements are being handled by Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, Bill requested donations in his memory to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation www.toysfortots.org or the Wounded Warriors Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org.