Bill West taken outside the Albert County Court House on June 13, 2015, when he attended the 100th Anniversary of the Sailing of the 26th Battalion for England
It is with sadness that we report the passing of a true Albert County Hero and WWII Veteran William (Bill) West. Bill was highly decorated for his service as a radar operator in WWII, and received the prestigious “British Empire Medal” from King George VI. (The British Empire Medal is awarded for meritorious military service worthy of recognition by the Crown).
Bill never served as an ACHS director, but he and his wife were members for many years and they attended Museum events. The photo to the left shows him at the 2015 Anniversary of the Sailing of the 26th Battalion on June 13, 1915. Bill always attended the Riverside-Albert Remembrance ceremonies and the Riverside Consolidated School student program, as long as his health allowed.
His Obituary follows:
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 be announced and held at a later date. 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.