Final Salute

CAMPBELL — William H. West, 85, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, joining his beloved wife on their 64th wedding anniversary. His family was by his side.

William was born June 8, 1937, in Williamson, W.Va., the son of Ernest and Edith Reba West. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, assign to the Seabees on the USS Alameda County.

Developing an uncanny work ethic at very young age (“I was working from the time I was 8 years old!”), he told stories of a variety of jobs, including work at a carnival, welding and selling wrought iron. Most notably though, he founded and ran a successful plastic extrusion company that began in the early 1970s as West Products in Campbell. Through the years, he also owned and managed properties, and ran an industrial surplus business.

Bill was a parishioner of St. Lucy Church, where he used his gift of beautiful vocals from his seat in the congregation, preferring to remain out of the choir loft, as he never was comfortable with any attention.

He recently celebrated his 60th year in the Campbell Golf League, where he was very proud to boast that he was the longest standing member on record. Additionally, his team made it to the playoffs just weeks ago, which was a very satisfying end to his golf career.

He played the tuba for the United States Navy Marching Band and was self-taught at the piano, but flourished with a guitar, cranking out country music at home and whenever he would get together with his brothers.

Bill provided many a mentorship, personally investing in the teaching of skills and trades to men who had very little to no training. He didn’t feel purpose unless he was building something, improving his work life and businesses, or helping someone. He never stopped and his family and others often referred to him as the “Energizer Bunny.”

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Clifford and Carl; and his wife, Filomena Caruso West, to whom he was utterly devoted and married Oct. 25, 1958, at St. Lucy Catholic Church.

He will be deeply missed by daughters, Joyce (Steve) Zitkovich of Boardman and Mary (Tim) Gut of North Olmsted; his son, Bill West Jr. (Yukari Inoue) of Poland; his brother, Paul (Sheron) West of Idaho; sister, June (Sam) Barker of Hubbard; brother, Melvin (Carolyn) West of South Carolina; and brother, Jonathan (Lauren) West of Arizona. Bill has seven amazing grandchildren, Aimee (Derek) Moore, Chuck (Helene Wolf) Miller, Stephanie Zitkovich, Kara Gut, Vanessa (Clark) Stanley, Mai West and Rocco West; and eight great-grandchildren, Mikayla, Leah, Trinnity, Marcos, Adriana, Lennox, Malaina and Vittoria.

Funeral services will be held at noon Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, at the Wasko Funeral Home, with the Rev. Michael Swierz officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends from 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday at the funeral home.

Donations may be made, in Bill’s name, to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Father Flannigan’s Boys Town.

The West family has entrusted their loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home. Visit www.waskofamily.com to view this obituary and send Bill’s family condolences.