1927~2016
Funeral service for William (Bill) Allen West of Thomas, OK were held on Saturday, November 12, 2016, in the First Christian Church of Thomas with Rex Yoder, Pastor Jerry Yoder and Pastor Jason Williams officiating. Burial followed at the Mound Valley Cemetery under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home of Thomas.
Bill West was born on April 8, 1927 in Oakwood, OK to Jim and Blanche (Marshall) West and passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 in Weatherford, OK, having reached the age of 89 years, 7 months.
Bill was raised in the Oakwood/Thomas area and graduated from Thomas High School in 1945. He joined the United States Army in 1946 and was stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Bill and Twana Mae Fry were united in marriage on February 19, 1946 in Watonga, Oklahoma, and they made their home in the Thomas area. Bill was employed at Hooper Brothers Sinclair Station in 1953. In 1962, Bill and Twana Mae bought the station and renamed it West Oil and Tire Company. They ran the station until 1978. During this time he became Mayor of Thomas for eight years and served on the Thomas volunteer fire department for 20 years. He went to work in the oil field in 1979 where he took care of the Watonga pipe yard. While working at the pipe yard he received Boss of the Year through the Watonga Chamber of Commerce and later retired with Marathon in 1992. After retirement, Bill and Twana Mae traveled to many places with family and friends and even went on an Alaskan Cruise. In 1998, Twana Mae became ill with cancer and Bill took the rest of his time caring for her until her passing in 2000. In 2005, Bill received his 50 year pin from the Thomas Masonic Lodge. He spent most of his time going to the grandkids activities, hanging out with his sister in law, Lea Elma Slagle, going to the Casino’s on the Baldwin Bus, and driving his golf cart to Millers and Fast Lane. Bill was such an amazing man with a huge heart for his family. He never met a stranger and had a story and a smile for everyone he came in contact with. Memorials may be made to The First Christian Church of Thomas, Oklahoma.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Jeanne Lewis and husband, Donnie of Thomas; grandchildren, Alen West of Skiatook, Nikki Bates and husband, Travis of Thomas, Jeanna Williamson and husband, Chad of Skiatook, Angie Wichert and husband, Barry of Thomas, Lorna Altland and husband, Michael of Weatherford; great grandchildren, Alyssa, Chad, Chelsea, Kenzie, Peyton, Chandler, Garrett, Kaycee, Heidi, Zoie, Connor, Chesney and Brittan; 3 great great-grandchildren; sister in law, Lea Elma Slagle; brothers in law, Elton Fry and wife, Linda, Bud Ames and wife, Michaella, and Larry Fry; and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Blanche; wife, Twana Mae; son, Jimmy; granddaughter, Lisa Lewis; sister in law, Gay Ames; brother in law, Warren (Slick) Slagle; and a niece, Cheryl Ames.