Norris Edwin West's Obituary
Norris Edwin West, age 95, of Rogers passed from this life on Saturday, August 23, 2025, in Rogers. He was born April 23, 1930, in Searcy, Arkansas, the son of Otis Amber and Amy Gresham West.
At the age of 16 Mr. West (also nicknamed Bilbo and later known as Bill) began delivering newspapers for the Searcy Daily Citizen newspaper. After graduation he went to work fulltime as an apprentice at Searcy Daily Citizen. On July 7, 1950, he married Bobbie Claire Pickard. They had two children, Thomas Edwin and Mary Alyce. In 1961 the family moved to Paragould, AR where Mr. West continued to work as a printer. In 1964 he took a printing job in Newport, AR where he continued his career as a commercial printer until his retirement. While in Newport Mr. West was active in the First United Methodist Church and Umsted Methodist Church, the Kiwanis Club and serving as Justice of the Peace for many years. He continued working part time until 2009. Then Norris and Bobbie decided to move to Rogers to be closer to their family.
Mr. West was the kind of man that never met a stranger. He enjoyed going to the Rogers Wellness Center where he would swim and enjoyed playing billiards with friends. Mr. West was also an avid Arkansas Razorback fan, never missing a game on TV. His greatest love was his family. Mr. West enjoyed attending his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s many activities. He attended their many baseball, softball, soccer, basketball and dance recitals. He was lovingly named “Pop” by his grand and great grandchildren, and he was their biggest fan.
Mr. West is survived by his son, Thomas West of Madison Mississippi: his daughter Mary Alyce Madden and husband Harold of Rogers; four grandchildren, Courtney Ogden and husband Levon of Fayetteville: grandson Josh Madden and wife Ashley of Fayetteville, granddaughter Amy Perry of Madison, MS and grandson Tommy West of Madison, MS; five great grandchildren, Levi and Madden Claire Ogden, Pace and Baylor Madden and Mary Anna Perry; two nephews, Carl “Bubba” Lewis and wife June of Searcy AR; and Sam Yeager and wife Ruth of Eads, Tennessee. Mr. West was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Bobbie West; sister Alyce Faye Yeager (husband O’Neal); sister, Juanita Lewis; brother, Buddy West; niece, Carla Sue Smith and daughter-in-law Karon West.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am Friday, August 29, 2025, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home Rogers with a reception to follow.
What’s your fondest memory of Norris?
What’s a lesson you learned from Norris?
Share a story where Norris' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Norris you’ll never forget.
How did Norris make you smile?