Billy Keith West

Billy Keith West, 88 years of age, of Las Vegas, NV, passed away on Friday, October 5^th, 2018 in Las Vegas.

Keith was born April 4^th, 1930 in Andrews, NC, to the late Willie Mae West Matoy.

As a young man, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a radar instructor then later retired from a lifetime working as a carpenter and superintendent.  Keith loved his family, was a math wiz, totally immersed himself in gardening, traveled extensively (his favorite place was Hawaii), and was an extremely generous man.  He loved the color blue, country music, westerns, and enjoyed playing golf every chance he had.

Keith was married to his wife, Velva Deal West, nearly 57 years before her passing in 2006.

He is survived by sons: Jhan Arlin West (Louise) of San Marcos, CA; Bruce Edward West of Las Vegas, NV; daughter:  Twila Jean Bennette (Charles) of Elk Grove Village, IL; grandsons:  USN Lt. Cmdr. Keith Andrew West (USN Lt. Candice) stationed in Yokosuka, Japan; Spencer Atwood West of Costa Mesa, CA; great grandchildren:  Broc Andrew West; Zander Anthony Fiore; Natalya Marie Mullen of Japan; life partner of 11 years:  Dorothy Stoeckinger and her daughter Laura Stoeckinger of Las Vegas, NV; The Deal Family, along with numerous caring friends and relatives from North Carolina, Las Vegas, and elsewhere.

Keith was appreciated and loved by many.  Even at the end of his struggle,

the depth of his character was evident, as experienced by his two caregivers of nine weeks who loved him as well.  They expressed that it was a pleasure caring for him, that he was a wonderful man, a gentleman, and very grateful.

In Keith’s last couple of years, while dealing with brain cancer, he cherished this phrase, which he created from the lyrics of two songs, and added the last line.  “Yesterday has come and gone, tomorrow’s out of sight, live today with all your might.”

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.  Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.sossomanfh.com.