Wendell Kenneth West

WENDELL KENNETH WEST
December 8, 1952 - January 13, 2021

Sunrise
His Roots...
Born Wendell Kenneth West on December 8, 1952 to Samuel L.
West and Jannie C. Walls-West (deceased). He was the fraternal
grandson of Andrew & quot;Papa Tump" West and Ellen West and the
maternal grandson of George & quot;Wash" Walls and Pearl Walls (all
deceased).
Wendell attended Atkinson Elementary School from Kindergarten
to the fourth grade. It was in the fourth grade when he
transferred to Holy Ghost Catholic School, grades four through
eight. At the age of twelve, Wendell was baptized and converted
to Catholicism. He remained a faithful practicing Catholic
throughout his lifetime on earth.

In 1967, Wendell entered his freshman year in a College
Preparatory Curriculum at Osborn High School (D.P.S.). During his
four years at Osborn, he ran on the "Cross Country" team that
won the "Eastside Champions" title the fall of 1970. He was also a
member of Osborn's track team running in the high hurdles event.
Wendell graduated in the June class of '71 Osborn High.
In August of 1971, Wendell entered Eastern Michigan University,
where he received both a Bachelor's and a Master's Degree in
Industrial Technical Engineering. During his time at Eastern,
Wendell ran in both the 400 meter and the 400 meter
intermediate hurdles on Eastern Michigan's track team. In 1972,
EMU won the NCAA college division title in track and field and
continued to be nationally ranked during Wendell's time at
Eastern. Following graduation from Eastern Michigan University in 1978,
Wendell began working for a short time at General Motors as an Operations Mechanical Engineer.

His Military Career
In August 1989, Wendell entered the Navy - USNR as a 2nd class
Petty Officer. He trained aboard two aircraft carriers, the USS
Lexington and the USS Eisenhower crossing the Atlantic.
Assignments included: Catania, Sicily and a one- year tour of
Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.
Recalled to Active Duty in support of operation Noble
Eagle/Executive Order13223 and USC12302.
*Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
*Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (6th)
*Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
*Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service
*Deployment Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps
*Overseas Service Ribbon

Upon completion of last assignment in Djibouti, served as a
Military Honor Guard Stateside and retired in the spring of 2013
after a stellar career and rising to the rank of Senior Chief Petty
Officer.
The Man He Was...
A dedicated single father. A lifelong staunch Republican, current
events and political enthusiast. An American and World History,
American Civil War, World Wars I and II aficionado. Wendell
loved rock music from the early rock musicians such as Jimi
Hendrix, Jethro Tull, Santana, Sly and the Family Stone, Chicago,
Pink Floyd and so many more.

Sunset
On January 13, 2021, at 3:50pm, Wendell departed this earth
after losing a year long battle against a terminal illness. He leaves
to cherish his memory, his son "Billy" aka Anthony William Tiller.
His father Mr. Samuel L.West, his sister (this writer) Andrea West,
his "other" sister Sabre Towers and "other" brother in law Steve
Towers, nephew Jañeiro West, niece Sabréé-Tíana C. West-
Martin, and great-niece Autumn Rayne Martin, Brittany Towers-
Lewis and Brandon Towers along with a vast number of cousins.