Phillip West was born January 23, 1954 in Bakersfield, CA. To the parents of Bertha Beatrice Jones (McClaine) and Phillip Joseph West (Yusuf Islam). He traded his cross for a crown on February 5, 2024.

Phillip was raised in Bakersfield, CA where he went to church with his family and gave his life to Christ at a young age. Phillip attending McKinley Elementary School until he and his mother moved, to Los Angeles, CA where he completed Elementary and Junior High School. He would visit with his father, stepmother and siblings in Bakersfield during summer vacation. Upon graduation from Crenshaw High School he went on to attend Los Angeles City College.

Phillip married his first wife Rosanne McKinney, and no children was born to this union. Phillip was hired and worked many years at Hughes Aircraft and joined the military— the Marines. He spent his military career stationed at Camp Pendleton.

Phillip began yearning for the country life that he remembered as a child so he moved back to Bakersfield California. Phillip met and married Wanda Griffis, his second wife, and became a stepfather and had two sons.

Phil as he was called was a supportive husband, stepfather, father and grandfather. He was a fun, loving man that attended church and community events with the family. He loved being a forensic debate, band and choir parent when his sons were all in high school.

Phil had a love for sports and camping. But he really loved to hang out and just kick it with his best friend Dennis Williams and Dennis’ extended family. Phil worked at Midway Drilling, Valley Plaza and other companies throughout his work life. After many years of hard work he become disabled and had to retire early. Phil managed to keep himself busy by creating a Snow Cone business. The hobby he most loved was making walking canes. The Cane Man was his name in the neighborhood.

Phillip was preceded in death by his stepmother Daaiyah Islam, father

Iman Yusuf Islam, brother Joseph Phillip West, and stepfather John McClaine.

Phillip West leaves to cherish his memory, his mother Bertha and her life partener John Capulli, wife Wanda West, sons Jamal R. Watkins, Trezell P. West, Josiah A. West, daughter-in-law Jacqueline G. West and many grand children. His sisters Ava McLaine, Medina Islam, and Nora Tomlin. His brothers

Ghani Islam, Reginald Laws, Omar Islam, Tarik West and a host of Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins.

Phil will be missed by those who loved him but never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers we are establishing a Memorial Fund for our grandchildren as Phillip had wished.