Bill West celebrates 90th birthday at Warhawk Air Musem

Friday, the thirteenth was a great day for Bill West as he was born on that day in 1923. Officially named Raymond William West, his family has always called him Bill.

On Saturday, July 13, Bill’s family joined him to celebrate his 90th birthday. His children gave him a party, and pulled together his military memorabilia for the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa. Lou Bauman, volunteer extraordinaire, created a wonderful display showing Bill’s 25-year Naval aviation career in which he served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Joining Bill for the dedication of the museum case were 22 members of his family from CA, IA, MN, NV, OR, TX and WA.

Bill moved from Lenore to Meridian in August 2012. Local family members are James and Barbara-Lee Jordan of Lenore, and Terri Webley of Orofino.

 

Pictured (l to r) are: back row, Lisa (West) Sisson (niece) , Bill West (son), Catherine West (niece), Ashley Barry(great grand-daughter), Shandra Anderson, Erica West (granddaughter), Wil Anderson (grandson), Raymond W. (Bill) West, Kaye Hughes (sister), James Jordan, Roger Hughes (nephew), Mary Lee Coleman (cousin), Gary Coleman, Karen Di Lalla (sister), Tony Di Lalla, Russell Hughes (nephew); seated, Audrey West and Barbara-Lee Jordan (daughter). In attendance but not pictured were Beverly West-Anderson (daughter), Harold Anderson, and Terri Webley (daughter). 

 

Bill West’s military memorabilia at the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa.