Willie James West

Willie James West

Cedar Rapids

Willie James West, 76, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, May 21, 2023, at Mercy Medical Center. Visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. Homegoing services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre. Burial will be in Czech National Cemetery.

Willie was born Nov. 14, 1946, in Camden, Ark., the son of Cortez West and Lethren Browning. He graduated from Lafayette High School, in Camden. Willie was united in marriage to Lenora West, and to this union they had three children. They were later divorced but remained friends. He was united in Theotis Taylor on Feb. 14, 2002. Willie worked at Ford Motor Company for over 32 1/2 years, retiring in 2000. He enjoyed fishing, cooking, listening to music, dancing, and playing dominos. Willie spent his last days with his family in Iowa.

Willie is survived by his wife Theotis; his daughter Ylonda West; stepdaughter Sheritha Webb; stepsons Mark Taylor, Samuel Gillis and Lloyd Taylor; siblings Catherine Stevens, Elrina Frazier, Pearlee Jackson, Lucious Stevens, Lee Artis Stevens and Buddy Stevens; uncle John “Buggy” Bush; his goddaughter Sonya Jackson and Ivory Frazier; a host of 14 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Cortez (Michelle) West, daughter Regina West, and his siblings.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

The family would like to extend a thank-you to special nephews Cleveland “Jr.” Stevens and James “J.C.” Jackson.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com