Obituary of Billie Ray West

Billie Ray West (75) resident of St. Maries, ID passed away in Post Falls, ID on October 30, 2017.  He was born to Kenneth and Frankie West on March 9, 1942 in Crooked Creek, AR.  Around the age of 5, the family moved to California.  He graduated from Bakersfield, CA and enlisted into the US Army serving 3 years.  Prior to enlisting in the army, Billie met Florence Gibe and they were engaged for the 3 years he served in the Army.  He was stationed in Germany.  Billie and Florence married in December of 1962 in Bakersfield, CA.

Billie went to work for the Bakersfield Police Department as a police officer.  He enrolled into Bakersfield Junior college where he earned his AS.  Active in Boy Scouts of America, Billie earned his Silver Beaver Award.  He then went on to attend the University of Redlands where he obtained his BA in Administration Justice.  Still working for the Bakersfield Police Department, he was promoted to Detective after he graduated college.  Billie retired in 1995, and the couple moved to St. Maries, ID.

Billie and Florence fell in love with the country around St. Maries, and build their home out Flat Creek.  Billie was an avid wood worker.  He had a big beautiful shop where he spent most of his time building anything and everything.  In his retirement he also enjoyed fishing, riding 4 wheelers, gardening, and boating.  He was a member of the LDS Church in St. Maries, and was very involved with Boy Scouts of America.  He also enjoyed taking road trips between St. Maries and Arkansas sometimes traveling into Utah.  He loved taking his grandkids with him and seeing the sights. 

Billie is survived by his wife Florence at their home in St. Maries, daughter Janise West of Seattle, WA; son Thomas (Tammie) West of Harvard, ID; brothers Kenneth (Carole) West and Roger (Bonnie) West both of Visalia, CA; 5 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service will be Saturday – November 11, 2017 at 11:00 am at the St. Maries Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery with a meal following back at the church.