Funeral services for William Rayford West Sr. will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at Silver Creek Baptist Church with Reverends Glen Cooley, Terry McDonald, and Klay Harrison officiating. Burial will follow in the
Silver Creek Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service.
A visitation time for the family and friends of Mr. West will be begin at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 10th at Silver Creek Baptist Church and will continue until the
time of service on Tuesday.
William Rayford West Sr.’s story began in Indian Creek Community in Louisiana on February 26, 1928, and his physical life ended on December 7, 2018, after living 90 full years of a God fearing life, and his
story is not yet ended and will be told for generations. As a boy, he tended the fields and raised the animals assisting his daddy with whatever was needed as provision for the family. As a young man, he was drafted during the Korean War however;
instead of deploying he was ordered to remain in Ft. Hood as a Cadre preparing new recruits. After his time in service, he came home and became a family man serving his community in the State Forestry Commission where he made many trips up and down
the fire tower. He had many stories to tell from those days and retired from the forestry department many years later. He served as a lifelong deacon of Silver Creek Baptist Church as well as Treasurer and Sunday School teacher. He was a miracle
worker in the garden and was always providing vegetables to whomever wanted or needed some. You could always find him either on his porch grinning at the road or tending to his garden, but he was always there when you needed him. He was known to be a
devout servant of the Lord and there was no question of his discipleship when you spoke with him. His knowledge of Vernon parish and the surrounding communities was unmatched, and everyone turned to him when they wanted to know some history. The
paper even referred to him as the Keeper of Kurthwood. On Thanksgiving week, you were always welcome to come and join him in his family tradition of making cane syrup at mill. I heard him tell someone he was pretty good at “raising a little cane”.
Many hearts are left heavy and broken in the wake of his passing, especially those that knew him as Daddy, Brother, Papaw, Old Old Papaw, and Uncle Rayford. However, he will live on through the memories and the stories that will be told. Rayford West
left a lasting footprint on this world. He is rejoicing in Heaven now after hearing upon arrival there, “Welcome my good and faithful servant”.
Mr. Rayford was preceded in death by his wife Mary Dale West, parents William Madison West and
Fleta Matilda West, sister Merleen, brother Cecil, and granddaughter Sabre.
Left to cherish their memories of him are his sons Bill West, Ricky West and wife Heather, and Dean Stanley all of Leesville, LA
daughter Diane West of
Leesville, LA
sisters Bernadene West of Leesville, LA and Janice Burns and husband Berman of Simpson, LA
grandchildren Ian McDonald and husband Terry of Anacoco, LA; Asa Harrison and husband Klay of Haughton, LA; Chance West and
wife Lyndsey of Leesville; Justin Stanley and wife Lensie of Leesville; Laura Rumby and husband Dustin of Leesville; Ben Stanley of Leesville; Brittney Erwin of Leesville; Aerial Erwin of Leesville; Shay Harland and wife Jennifer of Leesville; and
Hanna Lawless of Haughton, LA
great grandchildren J’den, Nathan, Joseph, Jaxson, Judah, Luke, Sawyer, Addie, Levi, Lillian, Elijah, Emily, Kamyden, Katie, Dillon, Aaron, Austin, Ryan, and Caroline
great great grandchildren
Justin, Allison, and Sean
and a host of extended family and others who called him PaPaw.
Pallbearers will be Shay Harland, Chance West, Justin Stanley, Charlie Marshall, Dean Stanley, and Ben Stanley.
Honorary
pallbearers will be his great and great great grandsons.
The family of Mr. Rayford appreciates Dr. Carson and staff, Compassionate Care, and Heart of Hospice for their attention and care as well as the church families of Vernon Parish for
their prayers and expressions of love.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Mr. Rayford to the charity of your choice.
Words of comfort and remembrances of Mr. Rayford may be left at www.jeanesfs.com.