W.H. "Buddy" West Jr.

W.H. "Buddy" West Jr., 60 of Stuttgart was born July 22, 1955, to Bill and Mattie West in Reydell. His quiet and gentle soul entered his eternal home on Oct. 22, 2015. Buddy grew up very much a "country boy" and proud of it. He was one of 11 children, so was taught many valuable lessons of life that he lovingly taught not only to his children and grandchildren but to many of the "kids" that passed through his life. A man of few words, you knew exactly who he was, if you were lucky enough to be one that passed through. Buddy was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Opal Johnson; and the precious mother of his grandson, Jennifer Hancock. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Dianne West; son, Brad West (Jen Hill); daughter, Nicole West; step-daughter, Carissa Jones (David); grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Cheyenne, Christian, Gabbie, Mackie, Cierra, Silas and Tori; brother, Ray West (Candy) of Star City; sisters, Hattie Reed, Betty Elam and Joyce East (Don), all of Pine Bluff, Billie Gipson of Reydell, Irma Holloway (Bub) of Mangham, La., Carol Parenteau (Art) of Sheridan, Doris Bullock (Bufford) of DeWitt and Nancy Selman (Andy) of Little Rock; and his mother-in-law, Pauline Hutcheson of Stuttgart. Buddy asked God to please let him raise his children. Not only were his prayers answered, he lived to love his grandchildren. That was 24 years ago. We have all been blessed to have had this time to learn love of God, family, work ethic and the living of a simple life. Who could ask for more? A graveside service is 2 p.m. Sunday at Center Campground Cemetery in the Prague Community near Sheridan. Visitation is 4-6 p.m. Saturday at Turpin Funeral Home. The family will be at The Country Gossip, 100 S. Main, Stuttgart, Saturday afternoon. Please go to www.turpin-co.com to sign the online guestbook.