Category: Obituary: W

William “Billy” West, 89, of Atlanta, who died on December 20, 2011. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, the Rev. Frances McQuarie West. He is survived by his daughters, Jean Alhadeff of Atlanta, Nina West (Steve Addison) of Atlanta, and Aran West of Syracuse, New York; son, Todd West (Rebecca) of Florence, Alabama, and 6 grandchildren. Billy was born and raised in McCurtain, Oklahoma. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force 1943-1945, earned a BS degree from the University of Oklahoma and served in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Public Health Service. He earned his MA/Mycology from Vanderbilt University, and worked as Research Mycologist for CDC, U.S. Public Health Service, Atlanta until 1956. He was a microbiologist for CDC in Atlanta from 1961 to 1972, earning his PhD in Microbiology from the University of Oklahoma in 1962 retiring in 1972. He and his wife then attended Georgia State University earning masters degrees in Community Counseling. Bill and his family were long time members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, 1911 Cliff Valley Way NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30329. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the William Joseph West Endowment fund, c/o: Eastern Oklahoma State Foundation, 1301 W. Main, Wilburton, Oklahoma 74578 or to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, 1911 Cliff Valley Way NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30329.

David W. Walker-Riggs, 80, husband of the Rev. Judith Walker-Riggs, died Aug. 2, 2011, after a gentle week in hospice in Las Cruces, NM. A graduate of the University of Vermont, he was a career diplomat in the Foreign Service. Having been a preacher’s kid, a diplomat and a minister’s spouse he found a role as the “loyal, ever-present right-hand man.” Thus there was no conflict or confusion about his and Judith’s roles. In retirement he enjoyed cooking and “life, love and laughter with Judith.” He described Las Cruces as the “Land of Enchantment.” The Walker-Riggs served congregations in Manhasset, NY; Cedar Rapids, IA; London, UK; Devon, PA; West Hartford, CT; Grand Rapids, MI; and El Paso, TX. Following retirement from the diplomatic service, David fulfilled his curiosity about other ways of life, working as a hardware store clerk, temporary worker for a law firm, and as a delivery driver for an international courier firm. He enjoyed being the other side of the desk for a change. He is survived by his wife and three children: Steven Riggs and James and Iain Urquhart.

Mary Weston-Jones, 70, wife of the Rev. Dick Weston-Jones, died peacefully at home December 11, 2010, after fighting breast cancer for 13 years. She was an elementary school counselor in Illinois and Florida, and a high school vocational counselor in California. In 1968 she was expelled from her Southern Baptist Church in Starkville, MS for asking the pastor if black people could be invited to worship with them. That led to her becoming UU four years later in State College, PA, where she married Dick. She showed tremendous courage during her illness, which never went into remission; she outlived all predictions. She arranged for infusion therapy at various hospitals as she and Dick traveled widely during the past 12 years. Her last trip was in October to the ocean. She drove the Virginia Beach boardwalk in her power wheelchair and savored her favorite food, deep-fried oysters. She is survived by her husband, Dick, by six children, two foster children and 21 grandchildren.

Evelyn Gerrish Weeks, 87, widow of Rev. Herbert Weeks, died in Lewiston, ME on February 9, 2009. She was a lifelong member of the First Universalist Church (Unitarian Universalist) of Auburn, ME. Evelyn held a master’s degree in education and taught business subjects for many years at the secondary and post-secondary levels. She retired in 1988. She was also involved in RE at each of her husband’s churches. She was an avid fan of the Red Sox and of competitive figure skating. Her other interests included genealogy, raising irises and knitting. As a minister’s wife, she became an accomplished interior painter as they moved from parsonage to parsonage. Her pies were much sought after at the Auburn church’s various fundraisers, and she volunteered many hours as that church’s office secretary and treasurer. She is survived by a son, Jonathan, and daughter, Arlyn.

The Rev. Wilfrid “Fred” Walter Ward, 74, died on his birthday, January 5, 2009, with his sons beside him. He earned a degree in Psychology at Cornell and an M.Div. a St. Lawrence University Theological School. He served churches in Lincoln, MA, Baltimore, MD and Princeton, NJ. He earned a PhD in NYU’s Family Life Education, Marriage, and Human Sexuality graduate program. He was Education Director of the Sexuality Education, Counseling and Health Program of the University Health Services at Princeton University. Fred was also an avid birder and knowledgeable ornithologist. When he was married to Betty Ward, the couple were pioneers in leading UU Couple Enrichment programs. He served the New Jersey Area Council of UU Societies as Minister of Counseling and Education and directed the UU Counseling and Education Service, until 1999 when he became ill from a stroke. A lifelong Universalist, Fred was a staunch supporter of Murray Grove Retreat and Conference Center in Lanoka Harbor, NJ. Fred is survived by his sons, Wilfrid, Jr. and David.

The Rev. Peter Weller, 81, died Jan. 22, 2008 in Fort Collins, CO. Peter received his BS in Electrical Engineering in 1948. After serving in both the U.S. Navy and Army, he decided to become a Unitarian minister. He served in Laconia, NH; Seattle, WA; Hanska, MN; Muskegan, MI; and Pittsfield, MA, where he was named minister emeritus. He served as interim in Birmingham, AL, and Bloomington, IN. Peter marched in Selma with Dr. King. He was active with the Vietnam anti-war movement and served on the board of the UN Association in Fort Collins, where he was a member of the Foothills Unitarian Church. Peter was also active in the UUMA and was a former UURMaPA Board Member. Peter married Carol Reed, who died in 1973. He married Jennie Parker in 1977. Survivors include his wife, Jennie; three daughters, Cathleen Hamilton of Oakland, NJ; Julia Smith of Fairbanks, AK; and Gretchen Weller of Fort Collins; five stepchildren, Marian Ware, Carl Hildebrandt, Janet Hildebrandt, Jay Hilt, and Lisabeth Almgren; 17 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

The Rev. Frances E. McQuarie West, 75, died March 15, 2007, of complications from pneumonia. Frances was led to her ministry through lay leadership at the UU Congregation Atlanta with the encouragement of Rev. Eugene Pickett. She served as Chaplain in the Emory University Hospital, and congregations in Winder, GA; Raleigh, NC; Gwinnet, Decatur, Atlanta and Marietta, GA; where she was named Emeritus in 1995. She was an advocate for hospice care. She was survived by her husband Bill West; their children Jean Alhadeff, Aran, Nina and Todd West. A memorial service was held May 19, 2007 at the UU Congregation of Marietta, GA, led by her son Todd West, president of the UU Congregation of the Shoals in Florence, AL.

The Rev. Dr. Clarke Dewey Wells, 76, died Nov. 8, 2006. He served churches in Oklahoma City; Cincinnati, OH; Portland, OR; and Newton, MA. As interim, he served in Bloomington and Muncie IN; Houston, TX; Santa Barbara, Santa Paula and San Luis Obispo, CA; Youngstown, OH; Pittsburgh, PA; and Asheville, NC. He also served in Lakeland, FL, where he was named Minister Emeritus. Author of four books of poetry and well-known essays, His reputation as a dynamic preacher and an excellent teacher led to many requests for these services following his retirement in 1995. He served on the Board of Trustees for Meadville Lombard and as adjunct faculty and chaplain. He was a special lecturer at Starr King. In 1977 gave the sermon at the Service of the Living Tradition at GA in Boston. He also served on the Commissions on Appraisal, the Free Church and Common Worship. He was Vice President of the UUMA (following merger in 1961). An avid athlete, he played football in high school and college; he was an enthusiastic snorkeler, handball, and tennis player. He marched with Dr. King in 1965, and was with his colleague, James Reeb, and his wife, Marie, at a hospital in Birmingham, AL, when Rev. Reeb died. Clarke is survived by his sons, Jared St. John Wells of Tucson, AZ and Garde MacKenzie Wells of Eugene, OR; as well as his wife and companion, Barbara Carlson.

Claire L. Warren, 81, wife of the Rev. Kenneth Warren, died March 9, 2006 after a long illness. She graduated from the Vesper George School of Art in Boston, and worked as an artist with the Rust Craft Greeting Card Co. in Boston. After their marriage, the Warrens moved to Cape Cod, where he served the Unitarian Church of Barnstable and the Universalist Church of Yarmouth, and then the merged churches for 38 years. She was active in the Flower Guild Alliance, the Lothrop Guild, and the Kit’n’Kaboodle consignment shop, Boutique group and other fund-raising ventures. She worked in adult religious education and helped organize the Unitarian Fellowship of Falmouth. After Ken became an interim, she accompanied him to Canton, Sharon, Dorchester, Assinippi and Vineyard Haven, MA. She was a member of the Village Crafters, and sold her stained glass work at craft fairs. She participated in causes for peace and justice. Besides her husband, survivors include a daughter, Mary-Elizabeth Brague of Mansfield, and two granddaughters. A memorial service was held in Barnstable.

Dr. Jack Leo Ward, 78, husband of the Rev. Cynthia Ward, died Oct. 25, 2005.

He was a psychiatrist who pioneered treatment of schizophrenics. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. He entered private practice in Trenton, NJ, developing expertise in orthomolecular psychiatry during its nascence in the 1960s. He contributed to two books Schizophrenia: Yours and Mine and Orthomolecular Psychiatry: Treatment of Schizophrenia, and numerous psychiatric journals. He was later Unit Chief for the Health Insurance Plan of NJ.

He is survived by his wife and five children: the Rev. Mark Ward of Asheville, NC; Keith Ward of Tacoma, WA; Terry Ward of Holyoke, MA; the Rev. Lisa Ward of Havre de Grace, MD; Scott Ward of Wilmington, DE; and seven grandchildren.

A service was held Nov. 5 at the UU Congregation of Greater Naples.