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William West Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for William West
Mike Casey
December 26, 2008
Lt. West,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your years of dedicated service and sacrifice-first for our Country when you served in the USN and secondly for the citizens of Billerica when you served in the BPD. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
Fair Winds And Following Seas
Marian Megowen
December 22, 2008
Karen, I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how much your dad meant to you and the rest of your family. I also know what ALS can do and know your dad is in a better place.
My prayers & thoughts are with you and your family.
Love you,
Marian
kevin west
December 21, 2008
Thank you everyone for all your kind words regarding my Dad, it made the last week easier reading these comments.
Barbara Strunk
December 20, 2008
Angie, Billy, Kev and Karen, I was so sorry to hear about Bill's illness and passing. May God be with you during this time of loss.
Tara (Trainor) Garmon
December 16, 2008
Mrs. West, Billy, Kevin and Karen,
I first want to offer you my condolences on your great loss. I also want to thank you for all being such a huge part of our lives. To this day, at least once a month I have some story or other that I share with my kids about growing up with Mr. West and your entire family. All those summers in the pool, rides in the cruiser when we were going to miss our bus as well as all the coaching about what was right and wrong. We were always convinced as kids that Mr. West was in cahoots with our Dad, because they always had the same life messages.... How lucky were we to be exposed to two very intelligent and loving men.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your whole family and again we thank you for sharing your families compassion with all of us.
Tonie Trainor, Tara (Trainor) Garmon, Brendan and Brea Trainor and our extended families
Connie Moloney
December 15, 2008
I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I extend my heart-felt sympathies to Angela and her family for what they have been through for the past six months. My thoughts are with you during this time of sorrow.
Over the last 20 years we have spent many enjoyable evenings going out dancing with Bill and Angela on both the east and west coasts. My lasting remembrance will be of them doing a Cha-Cha.
He was an in-law, a dear friend and he will be missed.
Joseph Doherty
December 14, 2008
Angie, Steve and family, I am so sorry to hear of the death of Bill. One of Billerica's finest. Always a pleasure working for Bill. Your a great man Bill, God Bless You. Joe Doherty
Lindy Newell
December 14, 2008
Dear Angela and Family:
We here at The Englewood Elks are saddened to hear of Bills passing. I know how much you enjoyed your dancing at the Lodge.
Fraternally, Lindy Newell PER, Lodge Secretaryl
Tim Boyle
December 14, 2008
He was 7 feet tall if I remember correctly. He was taller than me, I’m sure of that. He was quiet and seemed nice and smiled easy, mostly around the eyes. I am also told he was light on his feet.
He is most importantly for me, the literal meaning of the word “Dad”. This is not idle flattery at a man’s passing. This is no joke. I have used Mr. West as the example of a good father since I was 15 years old. I can’t remember why exactly but I remember the exact day it occurred to me that he was. Like the day you realize there is a real difference between cars. They are all cars but there are things that make some better.
The first time I met Mr. West he was picking up his son and the next door neighbor kid (Gooch!) to take them both to see the Rolling Stones! We were 14ish but I could tell as happy as he was to do this for his kid he wasn’t spoiling him. He conveyed it. This concert was partly earned but not completely paid for. There would be lawns and leaves and whatever but mostly there was respect. I saw it that day and every time he was with his children since. See, we never made fun of Mr. West, ever. Not because we were afraid of him like some dads. I think back now that it would have been like making fun of John Wayne. You just don’t do it. He and the Duke were the kind of guys that earned respect and never asked for it. He lived in a way that just deserved it.
For example: I have an actual photograph of the last time that I saw Mr. West. I have to explain this picture to everyone who sees it and I still can’t bring myself to explain it without the greatest respect and sincerity in my voice. Because it is the singularly most terrifying image I have ever captured on film. It was July 5th 2000. Remember that July? It was 104 degrees when we arrived down the Cape and the picture that I have is of a clown,, a horrifying seven foot tall clown in full striped suit, big floppy shoes, curly thing around his neck,,, wig,,, nose,,, makeup,,, melting. Just friggin melting away in the driveway of his granddaughter’s birthday party. Drip, drip, drip, from hairline to chin. Streaking from the eyes, smooshed and spreading out across the suit. Way worse than the joker. Of course Mrs. West was there too and of course she was also clown head to toe,,, and melting just as badly. If I had only managed to get Mrs. West into that picture..
My wife looked at Mr. and Mrs. West that day then looked at me and said flatly “My parents are bums!” To which I replied the same way everyone does after I explain that picture “Yup, mine too”
A Navy veteran, a man that carried a gun to work everyday to protect us for a living. A man that stood for us and dealt with the worst tragedies that can befall us and our neighbors. A man that raised three children such that each had a job the day they were of age. A big man that would do anything to help anyone, anytime. A husband that would put on the shoes to romance the woman of his dreams. This same man’s man would dress as a clown on the hottest day in history to see his granddaughter smile.
You make fun of the Duke or William West, and I’ll knock yer teeth with my last breath.
Thank you Mr. West.
Brian Murray
December 13, 2008
To Mrs. West, Bill, Kevin, Karen and the extended West family: I feel very privileged to have known such a genuinely kind and caring man, and my thoughts are especially with his wife, who is equally as kind and caring. Those words are sometimes used casually, but in this case they are not adequate enough to describe how much Mr. West truly cared about people. Not only did he help countless people while performing his official duties of a police officer, but he often went out of his way to help friends and strangers alike during his private and personal time. I am truly fortunate to be one of those people. I will be eternally grateful to Mr. and Mrs. West for treating me like family during my younger years, and I hope that all of his family can take solace in knowing that the world is, and will continue to be a much better place because of the way he lived his life. Heaven will now be forever graced by his presence there.
Dorothy Campbell
December 13, 2008
Dear Angie and the West Family, Jack and I are so sorry about the death of Bill. He was a great guy. We have been thinking of all the fun we use to have. I don't know why we never got kicked out of the motel on the Cape.
Our very best to you and the family.
Love Jack and Dottie
frank mandarano
December 13, 2008
young billy,steve,the west family,my condolences on your loss,one of the finest gentleman i have ever met,a great boss,he will be missed.
Rhonda Smith
December 13, 2008
Karen...I never had the honor of meeting your father...but i know he'll be missed by all that loved him and knew him...he is at peace now...no more pain no more suffering.
Karen West
December 12, 2008
Dad, you are missed and will continue to be missed for the rest of my days. You were more than just my father. You were my friend, my advisor, my sometimes dance partner, my fix-it guy, and more.
You are at peace and no longer suffering and I know you are watching over us all.
Up to the sky, down to the ground and all around, Dad.
Cathy Coneeny
December 12, 2008
One of the truly "good" guys is gone from the world. I feel lucky to have known and worked with me. It was a privilege and an honor. My thoughts and prayer are with you. God Bless
Jim Mcginnis
December 12, 2008
To BILLs family My Condolences I enjoyed working with Bill while I was on the Billerica Fire Department. He was a great guy! Jim Mcginnis Lower Cape Cod Eastham
Rose Mitrano
December 12, 2008
Karen,
I am so sorry on the loss of your father.
I hope that knowing he is at peace will bring you some comfort.
"Don't cry because he is gone...Smile because he was here."
Sharon Clark-Cote
December 12, 2008
My prayers and thoughts are with you all. He was a very kind man, he must of been for me to remember as I was little. I met him through my father (Charlie Jones) working {going back years} at the Pinehurst Drive-Inn when he worked details. We lived in Billerica for a long time and would always see him around. Take care in this sad time. Sharon Clark-Cote (Jones)
George Casteris
December 12, 2008
My heart-felt sympathies to the West family and all of those who knew and admired Lt. West. Anyone who lived in the neighborhood and especially those of us who grew up with Billy owe Lt. West an eternal debt of gratitude for his attempts to keep us on the straight and narrow and his willingness to help us out when we made an occasional wrong turn.
George Casteris
BMHS Class of '82
Donna Oliver
December 12, 2008
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Don and Sandy Cook
December 12, 2008
Our feelings are sadness in our home and the homes of our children. A cousin not easily forgotten, will be remembered in our lifetime and beyond.
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