Oswald D. West, 92, of Clermont, Florida passed away on Wednesday, December 28, 2022.
Funeral services will be held at 2 pm, Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park, with Bobby Harrell, officiating. Arrangements are by Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park.
Oswald D. West was born in Whigham, Georgia to Irette and Maude West on April 25, 1930. Moving to Orlando, Florida, he went to school at Grand Avenue Elementary and Orlando High School. In 1948 he enlisted in the in the United States Air Force, working as a fireman. While in the Air Force he married Shirley West on July 30, 1955, in Albany, Georgia. Oswald retired in 1970 after 23 years. While in the Air Force he was awarded numerous medals and accolades. In 1970, after retiring from the Air Force, Oswald worked at Reedy Creek Fire Department (Disney) as a fire inspector. In 1974 he became Fire Chief at Holden Heights Fire Department. In 1977, he transferred to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, International Airport, (GOAA) Fire Department and was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief until he retired (again) in1997. He was involved in the Moose Club, Orange County Sportsman Lodge, and Air Force Retirees Club.
Oswald is preceded in death by Wife Shirley West; Parents, Irette and Maude West; Brother Wyatt West; Sisters, Charlotte Moore and Dorothy Taylor.
Oswald is survived by his Brother Darrell West and wife Carol; Children, Deborah Gillespie and husband Donald, Cynthia Davidson and husband Conan, Teresa Bass and husband Kevin; Grandchildren, Bryan Davidson, Jennifer Ambrosi, Brett Davidson, Preston Bass, Austin Bass; and eight Great-Grandchildren.
A visitation for Oswald will be held Tuesday, January 3, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734 with funeral services to begin at 2PM followed by a reception from 3PM – 5PM.