Clarence/Joel West

Was in the Black Knights all through High School. Graduated and went to Quonset Hut U [BAC] for awhile. Dropped out and went to work at Granite City Steel in 64. To avoid getting drafted, I enlisted in the Navy Seabees as a heavy equipment operator. After basic and schooling I did three tours in Vietnam, for a total of 26 months, with U.S. Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 11 out of Port Hueneme, California. Returned to the steel mill for the next 36.7 years and retired on December 31st 2000. Went right back to work at South Side Machine Works as a sales consultant. Retired from SSMWI Dec. 31st 2015. Married Deborah Ann Bailey [1971] on Dec 27th 1980. Partied for 4 years then invited our daughter Amanda Catlin to join us. Amanda was born on December 11th 1984, and to this day is the joy of our lives. She has an Associates Arts degree in massage therapy and a BS in Athletic Training. Married Steven, [Chef Steven] and we now have four beautiful grandchildren, Lyam Ethan Edward, Bailey Emerson Camille, Fiona Grace Caroline and Keira Lorena Rose. God has and continues to Bless my existence on this earth.
Ride my Harley ['s] quite a bit in support of our veterans and the American Legion. Just got back from the 2014 American Legion Legacy Scholarship Ride where we gathered and raised over 1 million for the Legacy Scholarship Fund. For those of you not familiar with the fund, we provide non-refundable scholarships to children of fallen veterans from 9/11 to date and beyond.

School story, lets see now. I went to BTH school. I dated in BTH school. I played my drum at BTH school. I bummed with Steve Huey at BTH school. And for no other reason, other than they wanted me gone, I graduated from BTH school. Do remember getting thrown out of band alot.
Am the proud graduate of the lower 50% of my class.