A life to celebrate….
Born March 31, 1926 to William Edwin West and Helen (“Bubbles”) Stimatz, Bill grew up with the musical influence of Woodstock and with the gift of an accordion after a near fatal automobile accident (May 1941) his love of music was nurtured. As a teenager and for the rest of his life Bill played the trumpet, saxophone, base, vibraphone and keyboard at the local haunts and beyond.
At 17, Bill enlisted in the army and served his country in the US Army 178th Field Artillery Battalion as Sgt. 1st class. At the end of WWII, after serving 18 months overseas in Italy, he returned to Woodstock and remained a lifelong member of the American Legion.
After the war, Bill attended instrument repair school in Elkhart, Indiana and continued his education on the GI Bill. After his 1951 graduation from SUNY Oswego, he joined Electrol as a Tool Designer. He ventured to the West Coast to test the waters and practice his profession before returning to Woodstock.
Upon his return, he purchased 20 trucks with his father and brother which established William E. West, Inc. Their business contributed to the building of the New York State Thruway, Woodstock Elementary School, various commercial projects in the county and for many years residential design and build. As a constant learner and inventor Bill launched Westcon Products with a focus on concrete fire boxes and cast stone. He served as Vice President of the Ornamental Concrete Producers Association.
In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s he performed in several productions of the Woodstock Foundation with the likes of “old” Woodstock characters such as KiKi Godwin, Ed Chavez, John Pike, Manny Bromberg, Sarah Mulligan, Caryl Cashdollar, Jules/Carol Viglielmo, and Evelyn Crawford. It was through one of the cast parties (September 29,1956), that Bill met the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Swanson Cole (utilizing the line “What is your name little girl?”). They were married April 16, 1960.
At the personal request of Onteora Central School District’s Superintendent, John Miele, Bill was drafted and served as Special Assistant for Disciplinary Matters while teaching Industrial Arts at the High School.
Bill was elected to the Woodstock Town Board in 1962 and became Woodstock Town Supervisor in 1966. He was elected to Ulster County Legislature for district 2, making him a member of the last Ulster County Board of Supervisors and first Ulster County Legislature. During his tenure, with Ulster County he served his community as both the Majority Leader and Chairman of the Ulster County Legislature. Additional committee work included membership on the Ulster County Legislature’s reapportionment commission and Town of Woodstock Government Efficiency Committee. For more years than can be remembered, Bill served as the Vice Chairman of Ulster County Republican Committee and Chairman of the Woodstock Republican Committee.
Early in his political tenure, Bill learned that the town of Woodstock did not own the “Rec Field” which, in fact, was owned by the Woodstock Fish and Game Club. Viewing this as an important overlooked fact, he lobbied to get the remaining stock owners of the Fish and Game Club to sign over their claims to the township. This ensured the town of Woodstock ownership of the Rec Field. In addition, Bill revitalized the defunct Woodstock Christmas Eve Program which Woodstockers and many others have been enjoying ever since.
Other Civic Activities included Woodstock Junior Chamber of Commerce (president); Woodstock Christmas Eve Committee (Chairman); Woodstock Library (Treasurer); Woodstock Rescue Squad (Board member); Woodstock School of Art; Benedictine Health Foundation (President, Treasurer and Member Emeritus); Rondout National Bank (Board of Directors); Norstar Bank (Board of Directors); Colonial Cooperative Insurance Company (Board of Directors). Bill was the recipient of numerous awards including the prestigious St. Benedict Award acknowledging his tremendous loyalty and service to the Benedictine Hospital.
Bill was intrigued with the open sky and the mechanics of flight. So, in his late forties he took up flying. At the age of 50, he celebrated his first solo flight!
Bill’s life spanned close to a century. Certainly, a lot of living and experiences beginning in a wagon shed with an outhouse, no electricity and walking 2 miles to a one room school house to the miracles of modern technology which he heartily embraced. He avidly pursued information taking him from the Dewey decimal system to the marvels of the internet. Bill was a voracious reader with a passion for knowledge. He could talk to everyone about everything. His was a life filled with love of his country and music as well as his endless contributions to his community. However, he will be mainly remembered for his support, guidance and mentorship of those close to him and especially his family and the love he had for them.
Bill had a deep respect and love of animals especially his canine friends. His faithful companion “Cooper” who slept nightly on his bed will join his daughter’s family.
Bill passed away peacefully in his Woodstock home with his family by his side on November 19, 2024.
He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Cole West, brother Donald A. West and sister Patricia Munyan.
He is survived by his daughter Allison Dodd (Kevin Dodd), son Jeffery Cole (Christine McKenzie), three grandchildren (Katie, Matthew and Tomas) and three great grandchildren (Jefferson, Hayden and Eloise).
His Funeral Service will be held 10 am Thursday, December 5, 2024 at the Woodstock Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Woodstock Cemetery. Visitation will be held 4-7 pm on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at the Seamon-Wilsey Funeral Home Inc., Saugerties. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kingston SPCA, Saugerties Animal Shelter or a Canine rescue of your choice. Further obituary information and expressions of condolence may be shared with the family at SeamonWilseyFuneralHome.com
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