William Scott West Jr.

William Scott West Jr, age 77, formerly of Bakersfield passed away March 25th 2021 of natural causes. He was born in the year 1943 at Fort Monroe Virginia. Bill – as his friends referred to him, was raised in the military tradition, eventually serving as an Army Ranger Sergeant while serving in the Vietnam war and later in life as a Coast Guard Chief Gunners Mate during Operation Desert Storm. While in Vietnam, Bill served in the 1st Infantry and 9th Infantry Divisions and was awarded the Bronze Star and Army Unit Commendation Medal with V device for valor for acts of heroism. While in the Coast Guard, he was stationed at US Coast Guard Station Morro Bay and the Concord Naval Weapons Station. Bill contributed a combined 34 years of his life to the armed services on active and reserve duties.

Bill also served 19 years as a California State Park Ranger, stationed at the Pismo Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area. While a State Park Ranger, Bill received several heroic commendations for ocean and terrestrial lifesaving.

Bill contributed to the Pismo Dunes restoration project and managed a sanctuary for injured birds in his spare time. He lent his artistic skills to the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse Station restoration in San Simeon and other civic activities that preserved history and improved his community.

Bill received his Bachelors of Arts and Masters of Fine Arts while attending Northern Arizona State University. He is remembered as an accomplished sculptor and painter. The Charles Paddock Zoo displays the artistic talents of Bill in the unique masonry work and artistic representations of natural landscapes.

Bill is survived by his son Jason West and daughter Annette Jones; grandchildren William West, Bailey West, and Chelsea Taylor; and brothers Jim and Malcolm West.

Bill was a true American hero with a heart of gold, the likes of which we shall seldom see again, Semper Paratus to the core. He will be interred at the Bakersfield National Cemetery with military honors on April 28th at 1:15 PM in a ceremony facilitated by Hillcrest Mortuary of Bakersfield.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestmemorial.com for the West family.