William (Bill) West
1921-2020
It is with sadness that the family of Bill West announces his
passing on December 21, 2020 at the Veterans’ Health Centre
after a period of failing health. Bill was born to Clifford Carey and
Mary Elizabeth Archibald West in Hopewell Hill, NB.
Bill was educated in Hopewell Hill school, Riverside
Consolidated School and the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro,
NS. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in June 1941 and was
trained in radar operations at the University of New Brunswick in
Fredericton and later in Clinton, Ontario, and Yatesbury, England.
Bill served as a radar operator during World War II in Northern
Ireland, Great Britain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, and
Germany with the Royal Air Force. During his service in Northern
Ireland he met his wife, Peggy, who was a radar operator with the
Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (Great Britain). They were married on
April 21, 1945 in Maghull, England.
After being discharged in September 1945, Bill returned to
Riverview and began married life with Peggy when she was able to join
him in April 1946. Bill built a fulfilling career working with
veterans and farmers. He was with the Veterans Land Act administration
until 1959, when he joined the Farm Credit Corporation, as the
regional manager until his retirement in 1979. He was an active member
of the community of Riverview Heights serving as a Councillor with the
Town of Riverview for eight years and volunteering for twenty-five
years with the Riverview Town Planning Commission. Bill was a lifetime
member of St. John the Baptist Anglican Church.
Bill had many interests and enjoyed his time gardening,
golfing, woodworking, spoiling family dogs, traveling with Peggy and
spending summers at the shore in Caissie Cape. The recipient of the
British Empire Medal for his service during wartime and the
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, Bill held a strong sense of
duty and believed in contributing to the good of society. A man of
tremendous integrity, courage and humility, he will be fondly
remembered for his abiding presence and steadfast commitment to his
family.
Bill is lovingly survived by his children: Mary Oldford of
Grand Falls, NF, Graham West (Andrea) of Moncton, NB, John West
(Darlene) of Oliver, BC, Gloria Graham (Steve) of Chester Basin, NS,
Andrew (Ellen) West of Truro, NS and son-in-law, Ron Sparks,
Riverview, NB.
Bill was beloved “Gump” to thirteen grandchildren:
Jeff (Suzanne) Sparks, Riverview, NB, Joann (Steve) Mallett,
Fredericton, NB, Michael Sparks (Lorraine Hughes), Montreal, QC, David
Sparks (Kurt Bird), Moncton, NB, Will (Dawn) Oldford, Grand Falls, NF,
Beth Oldford (Paula Alcaideleon), Toronto, ON, Amy (Jeremy) Hart,
Saint John’s, NF, Stephanie West (Devan Carruthers),
Halifax, NS, Denise West (Jimmy Gallant), Moncton, NB, Scott
(Chermaine Clarke) Graham, Halifax, NS, Lori Graham, Dartmouth, NS,
Sarah (Andrew) Waters, Queen Charlotte, BC and Andy
(Rebecca) West, Grand Bay-Westfield, NB. He is also survived by his
great-grandchildren: Josee and Philip Sparks, Jacob and Samuel
Mallett, William, Jenna and Philip Oldford, Myles Gallant, Sam, Simon
and Levi Hart, Diego Oldford, Luna Abbott, Ethan and Marcus Waters. He
will also be remembered by several nieces and nephews and
Peggy’s extended family in England.
Bill was predeceased by his wife of sixty years, Peggy
(Sellers), daughter, Beth Sparks, sister, Margaret (Omer) Lutes, and
brother, Jim (Norma) West.
Arrangements are in the care of Cobb’s Funeral
Home, 330 Whitepine Road, Riverview, NB. Due to Covid-19 restrictions,
a funeral service will take place at St. John the Baptist Anglican
Church, 28 Woolridge Avenue on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 11:00 am.
For those who wish, a donation in Bill’s memory may be made
to Saint John the Baptist Anglican Church, Riverview, NB or other
charity.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.cobbsfuneralhome.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William Bill West 19212020..
Death notice for the town of: Riverview, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick