Erie, Pa. - William Alan West passed away at Lecom Hospice, Erie, PA, on March 8, 2026, after a long

battle with COPD. He was born on February 15, 1951, in Jamestown, N.Y. and grew up on

Chautauqua Lake in Bemus Point N.Y. He graduated from Maple Grove High School in 1969. He

joined the US Navy in 1971 as a third-class Petty Officer Electronics Technician.

West returned to school and graduated from Jamestown Community College in 1984. In 1987

he earned a bachelor's degree in Photojournalism and Political Science from Southern Illinois

University in Carbondale, IL. West earned several writing and photography honors as Photo Editor

and police beat reporter at The Daily Egyptian newspaper in Carbondale.

West returned to western New York and worked for the Jamestown Post-Journal, Dunkirk

Observer, and Star Beacon (Ashtabula, Ohio). In 2011, he started his own news and

entertainment website, Ashtabula Current, after leaving the Star Beacon.

West was a talented photographer and earned numerous awards, including Associated Press

State of Ohio Awards for sports picture of the year, news photo of the year, and feature photos

of the month. His sports photography was published in Life magazine, NFL Game Day, USA

Today, and the Washington Post, among others. His artistic photography was featured in

several galleries and art shows in the area. West served as President of the Community Access

Media (CAM) Board of Directors in Erie, PA.

He is survived by fiancé Shirl Blanco of Erie, his sisters Deborah West of Erie, Amy Fenno of

Jamestown, NY, and niece Alicia & husband Roger & son Zachary Kimber, also of Jamestown,

and brother Robert West of Silver Spring, MD. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert Sr and

Susan West.

West's legacy will be remembered by those who knew him as a talented photographer and

dedicated community member. There will be a celebration of his life at a later date.