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June 24, 1946 –  February 12, 2011  Funeral services for Benny Royce West, 64, of Gainesville are set for 2 p.m., Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at the First Christian Church with Rev. Mark Loewen and Paul Carpenter of First Christian Church and David Gray, Minister of Hillcrest Church of Christ officiating. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Mountain Springs, Texas. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Clement-Keel Funeral Home in Gainesville, Texas.
Mr. West passed away on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Denton, Texas after a hard fought battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, which is more commonly known as Lou Gehrigâ??s disease.

Benny was born in Gainesville, Texas on June 24, 1946 to Hazel and William West; he was the third of four children. He grew up in the Mountain Springs, Burns City and Valley View area. Benny accepted Jesus as his Savior and was baptized into Christ as a teenager. He graduated from Valley View High School in 1964. Benny earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a teaching emphasis in Integrated Social Studies in 1969 from North Texas State University.

In 1970, Benny began his career with the Valley View Independent School District as a teacher. Benny married Meri Phillips in 1975, with whom he had his only child. While teaching, Benny continued his education and completed a Master of Education in Administration at North Texas State University in 1979.

In 1980, Benny celebrated the birth of his daughter, Carrie Nicole. On July 8, 1988 Benny married Clarenda Upton. From 1980-1993, Benny served as principal for the elementary, middle and high school in Valley View. Bennyâ??s career as an educator transitioned into an administrative role where he served as assistant to the superintendent in charge of transportation, maintenance, operations and other administrative duties until 2005.

Benny retired from the Valley View Independent School District after 35 years of service. He considered those years to be the most wonderful experience anyone could have asked for. He appreciated the faculty and staff that worked along side him as well as each individual student. After retiring, he worked part time for the Region 10 Texas Education Service Center as a security and safety auditor. After the onset of symptoms in February of 2008, Benny was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in December 2008. In his final years he has been cared for by his wife Clarenda, daughter Carrie Cheaney, son-in-law, Tom Cheaney and step-daughter Carri Upton.

Benny was a member of the First Christian Church where he taught Sunday School for nearly 20 years. He served as a Deacon in the church, two years as vice-chairman and one year as chairman of the board.

Mr. West was preceded in death by his parents, William and Hazel West. He is survived by his wife, Clarenda West; daughter Carrie Cheaney and her husband Tom; grandson, Bradley Royce Cheaney; step-daughter, Carri Upton; sister, Billie Annelle Pope; brothers, Delbert West and Bobby West all of Gainesville; nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous other relatives. He is also survived by his first wife, Meri West and dear friend Shirley Jean Price of Vernon Texas.

Pallbearers are Terry Barthold, John Roane, Jimmy Kupper, Nicky Newton, David Ragsdale and Sonny McMillin, Honorary pallbearers are Kip Garner, Paul Hassell, Dave Sanders, Wayne King, Anthony Bryant, Guy Bosley, Troy Moon, Marshall Hampton, Bill Hinchey, Larry Havel, Bob Andrew, Jimmy Nickerson, Mike Wilson and all of Bennyâ??s nieces and nephews.