William R. West

Danville- William R. West, Sr., 82, of Danville passed away at 12:19 PM on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. He was born on April 11, 1931 in Danville to James J. and Gladys Manley West. He married Joan Porter on October 11, 1952 in Georgetown. She survives. Also surviving are two sons, William (Lisa) R. West, Jr. of Danville and Jeffery (Carolyn) A. West of Georgetown; a daughter, Debbie (Sonny) Linn of Danville; grandchildren Courtney King, Megan Sempsrott, Haleigh (Matt) Morrison, Brittany West, Brock West, Corby (Melisa)West, Lise' (John) Schneider, and Jordan West; great-grandchildren, Ava Grace King, Rowan Frances King, and Annelise Frances Schneider; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Mary Frew, Joyce M. Long, and an infant sister, two brothers, James West, and John West, and special friends, Ken and Alice Snook. After Bill served his country in the United States Navy from 1948-1952, he began work as a bus driver for the Beeline Bus Co. He was a former mayor of Tilton, Il, where he also served as the Chief of Police for 15 years. Bill was a Vermilion Co. Sheriff's Deputy and for 10 years of that time was Chief Deputy. In 1964 he went to work for Lauhoff Grain Co. as Chief Security Officer, retiring in 1994. He also had owned and operated B.W. Alarm Co., had been employed with Sunset Funeral Home, and was a Red Vest Volunteer at Provena USMC in Danville. Bill was a member of Downtown Danville Rotary, Catlin Masonic Lodge, the Gao Grotto, and the Community Church of God, as well as a former member of Good Sams RV Club and Danville Salty Sams RV Group. He loved camping and enjoyed sports, especially the Cubs and Illini. Bill especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren excel in school, sports, music, and singing. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Bill's family would also like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Presence USMC and 7th floor at Carle Foundation Hospital. A service to celebrate the life of William R. West, Sr. will be held at 2 PM on Monday, May 20, 2013 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home in Danville. Pastor Jeremy Zerkle and Pastor Corey Stockdale will officiate. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 12 to 2 PM prior to the service on Monday, also at Sunset in Danville. Memorials may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation. Please join Bill's family in sharing memories, photos, and video of his life through his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.