Norman West

Xpert Speler

Norman West 1972

Norman was voted "Most Likely to Go to Jail" but with this group it was a real close vote. Norman at one time or another probably got each one of us in some kind of trouble with school officials, local law enforcement, or the FBI. Each time Norman and his co-conspirator of the day were captured by the authorities you could hear Norman say, "Now let me do the talking." And for that each one of us would like to say, "Thanks."


Norman quite easily might have been the most athletic of all the Benchies. Which meant he could run down the court without hurting himself. But unfortunately for Norman the coach had to put you in the game before he would have a chance to run down the court. It's hard to show off your athletic skills while in the setting position at the end of the bench.

Where Are They Now

Norman West's Family

We sent out a little survey to each benchie to find out where they are today and what they have done since graduation.  Below are the answers Norman sent to the question, where are you today.

Current State: OK
Current Town: Oklahoma City
Graduated from Webb City? No

Places Norman has lived since his life as a Benchie:  
Ponca City, Salisaw, Hooker, OK, Fairbanks, Anchorage, Salcha, North Pole, Alaska, Cecil and Ft. Smith, AR, Hutchinson, KS, Sidney, MT, Powell, WY

Norman's basketball career after 8th grade:
NA

Favorite memory as a Benchie?
I almost convinced Coach Correll to put me in with the starters during a game with Carthage to give one or two “hard” fouls on a guy that was giving Wes Waggoner a tough time. Correll over heard me telling Bobby Lauck and Jon Cunningham my plan so he moved me to the far end of the bench and called me insane.

Family status, kids, jobs, life highlights, years on parole, etc:
Married to Carolyn for 21 years. Daughter Ashely is 20 years old and she is a junior at OU. Highlight of my life: Holding my new born daughter for the first time and living my life for Jesus.

Jobs: Teamster Union Ice Road Trucker in Alaska. Drilling company which operated 3 rigs in Alaska that drilled water wells and gold mines. Marketing Director for 4 years at First American Solar. Designed camera and security systems for Indian Casinos. Currently doing para legal work to help people in foreclosure in Oklahoma.

Hobbies: Go to Alaska when I can afford it in the summer and pan for gold and be with my sled dog Nanook.