Obituary of Bennie T. West

BENNIE THOMAS WEST of Mt. Angel OR, passed away on June 11, 2020 at the age of 85 after fighting a long battle of congestive heart failure. He was born September 30, 1935 in Sydney MT, to Arthur W. West and Esther B. (Arneson) West. Bennie is one of 8 siblings. There were 5 brothers and 2 sisters, Doris Hildenbrand (West) deceased, Clara Lesitus (West) deceased, Dale West deceased, Oscar West deceased, Glen West deceased. There are 2 surviving brothers Jerry West (wife Sally) of Tualatin OR and Don West (wife Mary) of Salem OR and numerous nieces and nephews. Bennie met his first wife Virginia R Stinson and married in 1956 while he was stationed at Fort Ord CA Army Base. They had 4 daughters, Debbie (West) Smith (husband Kelly) of Vancouver WA, Sherri West, Belinda (West) Martin of Silverton OR, Pam (West) Lamping (husband Scot) of Saint Helens OR, Thomas West of Vernonia OR and Chad West of Cheyenne WY. Also, foster-son Bill Britz of TX and foster-daughter Wendy Ragnor (husband Steve) of Scappoose OR. Bennie and Virginia moved to Oregon in 1974 where they settled in Vernonia OR. Bennie worked as a millwright at the local mill and then they started traveling the country, working out of the Millwright Union. This was to be a new adventure for them, however, Virginia became ill and passed away April 11, 1986. Bennie and Virginia have 11 grandkids, Josh Elliott of Vancouver WA, Triesti (Elliott) Knebel (husband Adam) of Scappoose OR, Schyler Elliott (wife Kelley Venable) of Bossier City LA, Jayben Slaughter of St.Helens OR, Jailee (Slaughter) Broussard (husband Doug) of Portland OR, Nick Martin of Stayton OR, Ambra Martin of Silverton OR, Allisa (West) Hartman (husband Jake) of Vernonia OR, Dylan West (passed away in February of 2008), Travis Ellis of Tualatin Or and Jaime Ellis of Scappoose OR. Bennie married his second wife, Marcheta Conradi in August 1986. They were married until she passed on July 29, 2019. Marcheta’s children are Cheryle (Conradi) Harrell (husband Bill), Jarred Kuhn (wife Shana), Mike Conradi (wife Margo) and Cliff Conradi (wife Beth). There are 10 great grandchildren, Jayden, Wyatt and Preslie Hartman, Jori and Jessa Anderson, Jhace Knebel, Eric Harrell, James Kuhn, Alex Kuhn and the youngest... Spencer Dylan McNeeley. Bennie has numerous nieces and nephews. Bennie led a humble and honest life. He was the best Dad to his children and his children LOVE him in life as well as death. Bennie was a gentle giant to everyone that knew him and will be missed but not forgotten. Bennie will be laid to rest at Valley Memorial Park in Hillsboro OR with his wife Virginia West.