William Edward West, 57, died January 16, 2015 at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital. Edward was a native of Gloucester County and graduated in the first graduating class of the new Gloucester High School in 1976. He was a member of Groves Memorial Presbyterian Church and the Achilles Masonic Lodge, No. 281 AF & AM. Edward was a master painter, loved being outdoors hunting and fishing and he was an avid chess player. He was a history buff and never met a stranger, just people who he had never met. He will be remembered for his kindness and love he gave to his family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edward D. “Jimmy” West; maternal grandparents, Lynwood and Dorothy Emerson and paternal grandparents, Lambert and Maggie West.

He is survived by his daughters, Victoria Ackers and husband, William; and Melissa Byrd and husband, Philip; mother, Brenda Emerson West; sister, Karen W. Ward and husband, Gary; special niece, Olivia Ward; many friends and his beloved dog, Ginger.

Funeral service officiated by Reverend Bill McCullough and Reverend C. Alan Hogge will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, January 22, 2015 at Groves Memorial Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. [Groves Memorial Presbyterian Church, 9117 Glass Road, Hayes, VA, US, 23072]

In Edward’s memory donations may be given to the Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue, P. O. Box 9, Bena, Virginia 23018.

Arrangements by Hogg Funeral Home and Crematory, Gloucester Point. Family and friends may share condolences and memories at www.hoggfh.com

Edward was George & Rebecca Emerson’s first great-grandchild.