William J. West

William J. “Bill” West, 91, of Memphis, TN passed away March 17, 2013 in Collierville, TN. Bill enlisted in the Navy during WWII and served four years in the Pacific region on the USS Pennsylvania. Later in his life he enjoyed annual reunions with fellow shipmates. For 48 years, he sold heavy equipment used primarily in the building of highways, bridges, and levies in the mid-south region. He was a lifetime member of the Masons (65 years), a member of the Scottish Rite and the Order of Eastern Star. Bill served on the Advisory Boards for both the DeMolay Boys and the Rainbow Girls, and as Chairman of the Rainbow Girls Advisory Board. He was a member of Whitehaven Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Addie Bowlan West; his brothers Charlie, Earl, Woodrow, Dennis, and Harry Lee; his beloved wife of 47 years Bernice and his son William P. West. Bill is survived by his daughter Brenda Thornton and son-in-law Lawson; his sisters Ruth Silcott of Rogers AR, Ruby Lamphier of Shalimar FL, and Sue Tartar of Little Rock AR; many nieces and nephews; and a grandson Phillip West. He also leaves Matthew Thornton of St. Paul MN, Angela Gainey of Monroe NC, and Kyle Gainey of Charlotte NC. His family thanks the residents and staff of Franklin Park for their friendship. Special appreciation is given to the wonderful nurses, care providers, staff, and volunteers at Baptist Trinity Hospice House. In addition to being an accomplished carpenter and salesman, Bill enjoyed gardening, cooking, fishing, hunting, and baseball. He read the newspaper daily and encouraged learning at every level. A gentle and kind man of great strength and courage, he loved his family most of all. Visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Thursday, March 21. 2013 with a funeral service to be held in the chapel at 3 p.m. at Collierville Funeral Home, 534 West Poplar Avenue, Collierville TN. Interment will take place after the service at Memphis Memory Gardens on Raleigh-Lagrange Rd. in Memphis, TN. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Baptist Trinity Hospice House, 1520 West Poplar Ave, Collierville, TN 38017. Collierville Funeral Home 901-853-2628 www.ColliervilleFuneral.com