| Graduation Year | Class of 1958 |
| Date of Passing | Jan 20, 2018 |
| About | Billy Joe West Sr. Long time Lassen County resident Billy Joe (BJ) West Sr. passed away on Saturday Jan. 20, 2018 at Renown Hospital in Reno, Nevada. BJ was born to Verda May (Easterling) West and Virgil (Buddy) West, in Kingsland, Arkansas Aug. 8, 1939. He came to Lassen County in 1941 where he resided in Westwood, Herlong, Johnsonville, Susanville and Standish, over the 76 years he resided in Lassen County. He graduated from Lassen High School in 1958. BJ was a mechanic for 60 years working for White’s Service Station, Richfield Arco, Marty’s Chevron and Jackson Service Center in Susanville and finished his career as a mechanic for the Lassen County Road Department. BJ also held jobs at Sierra Pacific Mill and Sierra Army Depot in 60’s. BJ married his high school sweetheart, Ledora (Lea) May (Vindhurst) West, on Nov. 30, 1959 and they were married for 53 years until Lea’s passing in January 2013. Family was the most important thing to BJ and Lea, as evidenced by their large family of three children, nine grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. BJ was proceeded in death by his father Virgil West; Mother, Verda May (Easterling) Chittock; sisters, Linda Jane (West) McAllister and Ladonna (Young) Westfall and his wife, LeDora May (Vindhurst) West. He is survived by his brother, Jerry West; his children, Pamela Jay (West) Graham, Billy Joe West Jr., and Brenda Marie (West) Poteete, as well as his nine grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, at the Honey Lake Valley Grange located at 472-690 Theatre Rd., Johnsonville, CA. Anyone who knew and loved BJ is welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Lassen Sportsman’s Club Youth Fishing Derby in memory of BJ West at greatnonprofits.org/org/lassen-sportsmens-club?donate. |
