John Pence West Nov. 20, 1923-Oct. 24, 2012 John West passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 24, 2012. He was born in Centralia, Wash., to J.O and Mary West, the ninth of eleven children. He graduated from Centralia High School in 1942, and on Dec. 24, 1942, married his bride, Opal Padham. John was drafted into the Army in March 1943, and after infantry training was deployed to Europe and was in the Battle of the Bulge in Germany. He then served in the Army of Occupation in Austria and was discharged in March, 1946. The couple and their baby son moved to the Aberdeen Hoquiam area in 1947, where John worked in sales for a time. In 1968, he began working for the Port of Grays Harbor, he retired as Terminals Manager in December of 1982. For many years, the couple were "snowbirds," spending winters at Palm Desert, Calif., and summers at Stillwaters Estates in Centralia. John is survived by his loving wife of nearly 70 years, sons, John L. West (Linda) of La Quinta, Calif., and Stephen W. West ( Dori) of Kirkland, Wash. He has nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Elsie (Frank) Abersfeller of Auburn, Wash., a special brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Mary Lou Milem of Vancouver, Wash., and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life will be held at The Gathering Place at Stillwaters Estates, 2800 Cooks Hill Road, Centralia, on Nov. 6, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. Our heartfelt thanks go to all of the wonderful staff at Assured Hospice, the Washington Park Medical Center and Stillwaters Estates. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Assured Home Health and Hospice, 1821 Cooks Hill Road or the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 488, Centralia Wash., or a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Newell-Hoerling Mortuary.