Paul West

Paul B. West, Jr., 81, of Cleveland, SC, passed away on October 28, 2026. He was born to Paul B. West, Sr. and Helen E. D. West in Biddeford, ME, on June 3, 1945.

Paul had a 30-year career as a high school art teacher, initially teaching in Jefferson, GA, Santa Fe, NM and later in Liberty, SC. He was an outdoors enthusiast, passionate about camping, hiking, and paddling in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He was a collector of Native American pottery and artworks, which he donated to the Hagood Mill Historic Site.

Paul was devoted to his third wife, Jane Murray West, until her death in 2018. He is survived by his daughter, Leigh Anne West and grandchildren Luke and Lindsey Robinson, as well as his step-daughter Marie Murray O’Hara, Liam O’Hara and step- granddaughter Madeline Jane O’Hara, and lastly his dear partner, Francine LaVance Robertshaw, with whom he shared his final years.

Paul possessed a kind and generous spirit, often happiest when serving others. At Paul’s direction, there will not be a memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hagood Mill Historic Site, which displays many of the artifacts Paul had collected.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Pickens County Historical Society, P.O Box 775, Pickens, SC 29671 or to the Hagood Mill Historic Site, 138 Hagood Mill Road, Pickens, SC 29671.