Lee A. West Sr.

Lee A. West Sr., 73, of Burlington died on Saturday October 23, 2021, at 7:00 pm in Grand Rapids Michigan surrounded by his family. Lee was stubborn and proud. He was tough as nails with a good sense of humor. He marched to the beat of his own drum. He enjoyed everything outdoors and all it had to offer: fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, canoeing, camping.

Lee was born on January 28, 1948, in Battle Creek to Orval and Hilda (Billingsley) West. He would graduate from Athens High School in 1967 where he played nose guard on his high school football team. Upon graduating, Lee attended the very conservative Christian Bob Jones University where he, aspired to be a teacher, studied education, and met Penny West the future mother to his four surviving children. After college, Lee moved to Omaha Nebraska where he married Penny and worked as a meat packer supporting his young growing family until Uncle Sam served him draft papers. Lee answered the call to duty and entered the United States Army where he proudly served in 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper and then later a combat medic during the Vietnam era. He was stationed at Fort Bragg NC where he enjoyed the beautiful country and the fishing it had to offer on his off time. He was honorably discharged in 1971.

After the service, Lee was employed for many years at United Steel and wire company in Battle Creek Mi where he took part in the 1980’s union riots fighting for employee rights, and where he would meet his life-long companion and Sweetheart Anna Goodrich. In 1998, he left United Steel and Wire Company to follow his true passion. He began driving semi-truck for Behnke Trucking in Battle Creek, and later after countless miles would retire from ACC Trucking out of Lansing, MI. in 2017.

Lee loved McDonald's coffee and considered the hotdogs served at Burger King a solid meal. Lee was unmatched at coming up with one-liners, and he seriously enjoyed drawing in an audience to one of his many entertaining and sometimes off the wall stories. Lee wore a leather belt with his name on it, and hanging from its side, always, was a large buck knife. Lee balanced his style out with a welder style baseball cap covered with a bright Hawaiian floral pattern on it. Lee was undoubtedly his own man. He lived that way, and he died that way.

He is survived by his children, Lee (Jenny) West Jr., Michelle (Jim) Shaffer, Richard (Ashleigh) West, and Andrew West; twenty-one grandchildren; companion for 26 years Anna Goodrich; and a sister Sharon (Danny) Flowers. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will take place from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, October 29, 2021, at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N Marshall, MI 49068. Funeral services celebrating his life will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the Army. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the guest book, and leave messages for the family.