Stephen West

Stephen Dumas West of Fisher, WV, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2024, with his loving wife, Lucy, by his side at Blue Ridge Hospice in Winchester, VA.  He was 89 years old.

“When I go to that Great Vineyard in the Sky,” is what he’d often say.  These are highlights of a life well-lived.

Steve was born on May 6, 1934, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to parents, Carmen Marie Dumas West and Francis Leon West. He spent his childhood with his brother, Marshall, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Washington, DC, and Wichita, Kansas, graduating high school from Wichita East High School in 1952. Steve often shared two notable childhood memories.   One of these was his dad calling him and his brother into the house on December 7, 1941, saying, “Come in, boys.   Something’s happened; it’s on the radio.”  Another, of meeting President Franklin Roosevelt when he passed by in a parade outside of Washington, DC.

He went on to attend Harvard University, graduating in 1956, and then University of Virginia, graduating from law school in 1959. He moved to Chicago and began a career as a corporate attorney in the insurance industry which lasted more than 30 years.  During that time, he married and had two children, Stephen Dumas West, Jr., and Amanda Bogardus West.  He also had another son, Tom Harrington. He later married Lucy Fisher West, a native of Hardy County, WV.

Steve retired from corporate life relatively early, at 52, and began a vibrant ‘second act’ of his life.  He and Lucy left the Philadelphia area, and returned to Hardy County, WV in 1987.  There he turned his energies to his life-long hobby of wine making and began both his wine business, West Whitehill Winery, and integrating into the life of the community.   He always joked that he was locally known as “Lucy Fisher’s husband” when he arrived, but later that he was known as “the winery owner,” which made him proud. Later, when he was simply known as Steve West, and part of the community, surprising himself when he had his own local identity.

This was not without merit and cause.  To his own surprise, he became active in the community, serving as a board member of the Hardy County Chamber of Commerce for a number of years. He also served on the board of the Friends of West Virginia Public Radio and spearheaded the formation of the West Virginia Grape Growers Association.

In later years, Steve focused on building his winery business, eventually transitioning its operation to his daughter and great nephew.  He spent his remaining years as he wished, overseeing his business, following national events and enjoying time with the love of his life, Lucy. 

He is survived by his wife, Lucy Fisher West, his daughter, Amanda Bogardus West, son Stephen Dumas West Jr., son Tom Harrington, and grandchildren Shelby West, Elijah West, Adam Harrington and Kyle Harrington, nieces Jennifer West Fasick and Stephanie West Simon, other family and friends.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 6:00 PM Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Fraley Funeral Home Chapel, 107 Washington Street, Moorefield. A Memorial Service will be held beginning at 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Moorefield Presbyterian Church. 

Please consider a gift in Steve’s honor to: Hardy County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1058, Moorefield, WV 26836; Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W Cork Street. #405, Winchester, VA 22601 or Hospice Promise Foundation, c/o Grant Memorial Hospice, 100 Hospital Drive, Suite #2, Petersburg, WV 26847

Expressions of condolences, shared memories and cherished photographs may be left on Steve’s Tribute Wall at www.fraleyfuneralhome.com honoring his remarkable journey and the impact he made in the lives of those he touched.

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