Mr. Ernest Porter West Sr. began his pilgrimage on June 19, 1941, ending April 23, 2026. He is the son of the late Lowell and Helen West. Dad was raised in the Nitro United Methodist church and was active in Boy Scouts, through which he earned many honors including the Order of the Arrow, Eagle Scout, and in his adult life, troop leader.
In his youth, Dad met and later married the love of his life, our late mother, Barbara Grace West on May 31, 1963, who preceded him in ending her pilgrimage July 29th, 2015. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, and service, and we take comfort in knowing they are together again in the presence of our Lord.
Dad and Mom attended Poca Methodist, Rock Branch Independent, and Mineral Baptist Church in Virginia. Dad served faithfully in many roles, including youth teacher, deacon, elder, church choir and even in a singing quartet.
Dad began his working life as a paper boy for the Charleston Newspaper, and later as an ambulance attendant for Cooke Funeral Home. He went on to work at FMC Corporation of Nitro, and then the Monsanto plant in Nitro until its closing. He and Mom later moved to Lousia, Virginia, where he continued working before returning to Poca, West Virginia, where he served at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home. There, Dad touched many lives by sharing the love and peace of God until a stroke led to his retirement in 2021.
As Dad and Mom walked hand in hand through life, they introduced a family of their own into the pilgrimage. He is survived by his children retired Colonel Ernest “Jay” (Pam) West, Janice (Tim) Christy, Shawn (Becky) West, and Matthew (Kathy) West. Their legacy continues through Dad’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren Zach (Nikki) West and their son Ethan; Sami (Ryan) Hoilman and their children Luca and Shep; Raegan Christy; Madi (Briggs) Badurski and their daughter Miller Grace; Tracy (Brent) Bechtel and their children Claire and Rylie; Tori (Clint) Thaxton and their children Emma, Gracelynn, and Easton; Lissi (Matt) Hambrick; Austin West; and Gabe West. Dad also shared a special bond with his “baby girl,” 3 year old Mckena, whose love, songs, and laughter brought him comfort and joy in his final days.
Dad ensured his home was a Godly one and raised us to be servants of the Lord. He remained steadfast in his faith and, in his final hour, professed his love for God.
A tribute to the life of Mr. Ernest Porter West, Sr. will be 3:00 PM Sunday April 26, 2026, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with his son Jay West and Pete Thompson officiating. Burial will follow in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House. The family will receive friends 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM prior to the service on Sunday at the funeral home.
