Gregory “Sonny” West, 76, passed from this life on the evening of July 9, 2012 at his home in Winnsboro, Louisiana with his loving wife and family by his side.

He was born February 17, 1936 in England, Arkansas to Clyde and Opal West.

Sonny found a love for horses at an early age and most of the days of his life were spent with a horse at his side. He developed his love for horses into his life's vocation and had a gift for training and understanding horses as few could. After a career in farming, Mr. West began training horses professionally. Mr. West's greatest pleasure in life was found with his wife Barbara and their children and was deeply devoted to each of them and always spoke of them with a great sense of pride.

His greatest passion was his strong faith in God and he actively worked to walk in faith in his words and actions. He believed that the only successful life was that which had a foundation in faith and a commitment of worship and service to God. He was an active member of the Winnsboro Church of Christ, an honorary member of the Deep South Rodeo Committee and a founding member of the Franklin Parish Horse Club.

Mr. West was preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Opal West, brother Jimmy West, two sisters, Helen Morris and Betty Havens and is survived by his wife of 43 years Barbara Pippins West, daughter Traci Hernandez and husband Travis of Parker, Colorado, one son, Shawn West of Fort Worth, Texas, Grandsons, Weston Blake Hernandez and Chase Addison Hernandez of Parker, Colorado, sister-in- law Margarite Richardson and husband, Floyd of Winnsboro,La, brother- in- law, J.D. Pippins and wife, Maxine of Monroe, La. and one sister Billie Harper of Greenwood, Mississippi.

Pallbearers will be Ricky Kenney, Buddy Rhodes, Mackie Strong, Shawn Sullivan, Randy Walker and Brian Wilson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Bailey, D. L. Crum, Noble Ellington, Rusty Ragsdale, Pete Welch, Deep South Rodeo Committee and Franklin Parish Horse Club.

Funeral services will be 10 am Thursday July 12, 2012 in the chapel of Gill First National Funeral Home Winnsboro, LA with Bro. Karl Huff and Bobby Davis officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery Winnsboro, LA. Visitation will be 5 – 8 pm Wednesday July 11, 2012 at the funeral home.

Memorials can be sent to Hospice TLC Winnsboro, LA.

Online condolences may be made at www.gillfirstnational.com