Walt served his country in the United States Air Force. He worked as a planning supervisor at Garrett AiResearch and Honeywell, where his reliability and commitment were evident across a remarkable 35-year career. Over the course of his career, Walt was able to raise over $1 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He retired in 1995.
For 44 years, Walt shared a devoted marriage with his wife, Shirley West.
Walt’s life was marked by a deep dedication to children and a lasting belief in the power of community support. In 1972, he joined the Tempe Pop Warner Football arsc as a parent. He went on to become president of the Arizona Federation of Pop Warner football and the regional director for Wescon, which included Southern California, Arizona, Southern Nevada, and the Hawaiian Islands. In 2026, he was named to the Pop Warner Hall of Fame—one of only twelve in the nation—an honor reflecting years of steadfast service and the many young lives strengthened by his guidance.
After Pop Warner, Walt continued his involvement with youth and education through the Tempe Impacts Education (TIE) foundation and Connecting With Kids, organizations connected to the Tempe Elementary school district. He served on their board until his death. He loved volunteering in the community and helping children, and he will be greatly missed.
Walt is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughters, Rhesa West and Melissa Guerrero; son David Fincher; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; sister, Linda Sturgill; and brother, Ricky West. He was preceded in death by his parents, Katheryn and Walter G. West Sr.; sons, Gregory West, Jeff Fincher, and Michael Fincher; sister, Barbara Story; brother, Danny West; brother-in-law Frank Story; and son-in-law Arnold Guerrero.
