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Obit For Dr. William M. West
Headline Dr. W. M. West, 78, of Monett is Dead

Prominent Physician Succumbs at Springfield - Founded Hospital in 1914
Text Monett, Mo., Oct. 8 - Dr. William M. West, 78 years old, prominent Monett physician and surgeon, died Saturday in St. John's Hospital at Springfield.

Dr. West, who devoted 52 years of his life to medicine and surgery, founded the first hospital in Monett in 1914. In 1927 he built what now is St. Vincent's hospital. The institution was first known as West's hospital. He operated the hospital until November 17, 1943, when he gave it to the Vincentian Sisters of Charity.

Dr. West was instrumental in the organization of the Hobbs-Anderson American Legion post No. 93 and served as it first commander. He was a Mason and a member of About Ben Adhem Shrine at Springfield.

Active in medical circles, he belonged to the Tri-County Medical Association, the American Medical Association, was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons; served as local registrar of vital statistics for 41 years, and was a captain in the medical corps during World War I.

He was a graduate of St. Louis university and served his internship at St. Mary's hospital in St. Louis. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Dr. West was born in Christian county, Missouri.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Georgia Bird Fernandez of New York, N. Y.; three sisters, Mrs. Lulu Meek of Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Freda Shnaper of Park Ridge, Ill., and Mrs. Ollie Pettit of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the Mercer funeral home chapel. The Rev. Sherman Erickson will officiate. Burial will be in I.O.O. F. Cemetery. Graveside Masonic services will be held.
Newspaper Joplin Globe
Date Octobery 9, 1951
Death Cert Link -
Resource Newspaper
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