Tony West

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William Anthony "Tony" West Jr. (born October 29, 1937 in Phoenix , Arizona ; † January 14, 2016 ) was an American businessman, businessman, officer , deacon and politician ( Republican Party ).

Private life

Tony West was born in Phoenix in 1937 and grew up there. His father, William Anthony West Sr., and grandfather, TJ West, were pioneers in the cotton industry in Arizona and California . His childhood was overshadowed by the Second World War . West graduated from St. Mary's High School . He then attended the University of Arizona . He then received his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Arizona State University .

In his life, West owned and operated four medium-sized companies. He started his professional career in agriculture in a family business called Far West Enterprises . The company was then sold by the family in 1968. In June 1962 he married his wife Margaret "Maggie" O'Malley. The couple had three sons: William, John and Stephen. With her he owned MW Publishing , a publishing house for spiritual self-help books.

West served in the Arizona National Guard, where he reached the rank of captain and commanded an infantry company .

He was an ordained deacon of the Catholic Church who served in the Diocese of Phoenix and was a member of the parish of St. Francis Xavier . In this context he was committed to his church and the lives of others. He put it this way:

"It is a privilege to serve my Lord and Church as a Deacon and I look at my life of public service as a ministry to better the community."

"It is a privilege to serve my Lord and the Church as a deacon, and I consider my life in public service to be a service to the community."

West was the founder and director of the Arizona Coalition for Tomorrow , director and president of the Arizona Economic Forum , the Arizona Senior Olympics, and the Arizona Club , director and treasurer of St Joseph's Foundation ( Mercy Healthcare Arizona ), trustee of the Western States Chiropractic College , Trustee and President of the Arizona Foundation for the Handicapped , trustee of the Junior Achievement Foundation , member of the Junior Achievement, Justice Fellowship Task Force, Governor's Prayer Breakfast Committee, Kenilworth School Foundation, Arizona Academy , and Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System-Fund Manager .

Political career

West was elected five times to the Arizona House of Representatives and three times to the Arizona Senate . He served on several committees during his 16 years in the Arizona Legislature . West chaired the Banking and Insurance Committee in the House of Representatives and the Insurance, Retirement and Aging Committee in the Senate, was Vice-Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee , sat on the Appropriations Committees for 10 years , chaired the Committee on Ways and Means in the House of Representatives and sat on the Joint Oversight Committee on Organized Crime.

During his tenure in the Arizona Legislature, West was known for its tough anti-crime laws and fiscal conservatism. He promoted but was also responsible for passing a wide variety of laws. These included programs for the hearing impaired, generous legislation to establish county sports authorities, and laws to fund victims' compensation. He also demanded higher and more mandatory sentences for criminals convicted of selling drugs to minors.

West was elected State Treasurer of Arizona in 1990 and re-elected in 1994. He held the post for eight years. In 1998 he was elected Corporation Commissioner .

West was President of the Western State Treasurers Association and Vice President of the National Association of State Treasurers . He held the post for two consecutive terms. The Council of State Governments elected him a Henry Toll Fellow in 1992 .

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personal data
SURNAME West, Tony
ALTERNATIVE NAMES West, William Anthony Jr.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American businessman, entrepreneur, officer, deacon, and politician
DATE OF BIRTH October 29, 1937
PLACE OF BIRTH Phoenix , Arizona
DATE OF DEATH January 14, 2016