Remembering Longtime Constable Willie “Hoot” West

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Longtime Lowndes County Constable Willie “Hoot” West passed away Thursday afternoon.

Earlier this week West was injured in a single-car wreck.

There are a lot of people talking about him Friday.

“Lowndes County icon, everybody knows hoot,” said Chief Deputy Greg Wright.

For 52 years, Willie Hoot West served as District One Constable in Lowndes County.

During that time he made a name for himself.

“If you would’ve had the chance to meet him, and get to know him, you would kind of got a glimpse of what you know an old-time law enforcement officer. If you could picture one in your mind, an old sheriff, or an old Marshall, or something like that, he was just epitomized kind of that,” said Wright.

When Chief Deputy Greg Wright joined the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department, West had been constable for years.

“He was like all of us. He was younger, and he was out helping us with calls and stuff, and I met him on several occasions and just got to know him, talk to him. He was very down-to-earth guy. One thing I really liked about Mr. West was the fact that he was honest, he spoke his mind and I appreciate that,” said Wright.

In Caledonia, he is already missed.

This chair at Cal-City general store is vacant.

West came in almost every day to order a double ribeye with jalapenos.

“I love cooking his food. Knew how he wanted it cooked every time they come in. He just comes in that door right there and sit down and just let me know he’s back there and I will get it ready.” said Renee Cook.

Rita Lewis said he would always find a way to make her and others laugh.

In fact, he was here just a few days ago.

“He actually sat here a little while longer that day, you know, just conversation with the other customers. I really didn’t get to talk to him that day because I was so busy, but he was sitting here talking to all the customers, but he stayed here a little while,” said Rita Lewis.

She says West was always looking to help her and the community.

“He talked to me a lot. The younger people he would talk to and encourage he was really a good man,” said Lewis.

“If you ever needed him he was there he was there,” said Chief Deputy Wright.

West was 81 years and had planned to retire this year.

Visitation will be Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lowndes Funeral Home.

His funeral service will be Sunday at 3 p.m.

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