William Riley West

William Riley West, of Fairhope, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at 12:21 p.m. to be home with his Heavenly Father in Paradise.
Named after his grandfather Dr. William Riley Bonds of Double Springs, Mr. West was the son of Patsy Bonds West and Herbert Houston West and had one brother, Herbert Harold West (all deceased).
He was a native of Winfield and completed his elementary and high school education at Winfield City Schools. He held a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Alabama, a Master’s Degree from the University of Alabama, Educational Administration Certification from UNA and a State of Alabama Certification in Classroom Teacher Evaluation.
As a young man, he worked at the family’s Oldsmobile dealership and Winfield Gulf Oil Company. As a college student, he worked for the State of Alabama in Mosquito Control. He taught in the Vernon School System and at night he taught a federally funded program for disadvantaged youths. In the Winfield City Schools system, he taught for 27 years, served as an assistant principal, evaluated classroom teachers, was WEA President, served on the Uni-Serv District 7 Committee, was a Senior Class and Key Club sponsor. After retiring, he taught at Bevill State Community College.
Mr. West’s understanding and empathy for small business owners was a result of his establishing Crossroads Market and owning other local area small convenience stores. He served as a Director on the Board of SouthTrust/ Wachovia Bank. He also served on the Winfield City Council at Place 5 from 1992 until 2000 and was Mayor of Winfield from 2000 to 2008. His campaign slogan was: “Make Winfield an even better place to live.” He was dedicated to all the people of Winfield and enjoyed recounting to family and close friends a phone call he received shortly after taking office. A gentleman called about a drainage problem and told Mr. West, “I did not vote for you Mayor.” He responded, “It does not matter how you voted; I am the Mayor of all the people; I will fix your problem” and he did. Among the many accomplishments during his terms of service for the people of Winfield he was most proud of the jobs he helped to create and the Community Storm Shelter that could house 500 people short term and 250 long-term, withstand 250 mph winds and house a command center.  
Mr. West’s lifetime passions were travel, marine biology, entomology, botany, automobiles, amateur photography and Alabama Crimson Tide football. His daughter, Daphne, said,” When Dad brought out the road atlas I got excited because I knew he was planning a trip.” Bill, Linda and Daphne traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean. He instilled love of travel in his extended family, friends, and students.  
The first good camera he owned was a German Voigtlander, which accompanied him with friends on a driving trip through Mexico when he was a teenager. He was one of the earliest UA graduate students asked to help conduct research at Dauphin Island before the Sea Lab became a consortium. His love of automobiles began with a 1948 two-door Mercury Coupe he purchased on his own at age 15. His classmates will remember his 1959 black and white Impala and his 1963 navy blue Corvette. Later in life, he would win national awards with his 1962 Studebaker GT Hawk. He loved his Subaru Outback and drove it almost to the end of his life.
He was known to everyone for his wide range of interests and knowledge, his ever-present wit, his empathy for people of all walks of life and his tireless efforts to recruit industry and create jobs for Winfield and the surrounding area. He traveled extensively on behalf of economic development, including internationally to encourage investment in Northwest Alabama.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Winfield and attended Fairhope United Methodist Church and Morgan’s Chapel United Methodist Church of Bon Secour.
He loved and was always there for his extended family, Linda’s mother - Mary Langston; her father - Roy Langston; sisters - Martha Allen and Freddie Meherg; nephews - Todd Lowry and Tim Meherg; nieces - Kate Lezak, Lisa Burgess - Lori Jenkins; brothers-in-law - John Allen and Jim Meherg (deceased); and his niece - Mitzi West. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 56 years - Linda Langston West; his beloved daughter - Daphne; beloved son-in-law - Stephen R. Stanford; niece - Allyson West Sutter; nephew - Hal West; grand and-great-grand-nieces-and-nephews and friends.
A memorial service for Mr. West was held at a later time.
Donations may be made to: Saad Hospice Retreat, Natasha, Faircloth, HR Director, 1515 South University Blvd, Mobile, Ala., 36609 / 1-251-380-3810,  www.hospice.house or Winfield First United Methodist Church 835 Bankhead Highway, P.O. Box 387, Winfield, Ala., 35594  /205-487-2405.
Bowen Funeral Home
981 State Highway 253
Winfield, Ala.  35594
205-487-4327