Bill Nestell

Bill Nestell (born William Eugene Nestel or Eugene William Nestel;

Early life and career Born in San Francisco, California, Nestell was the son of Katherine "Katie" Drake and stage actor Edward "Ned" Westell, who died just two years later, at age 56. By 1910, however, Nestell had moved out. Having evidently picked up the essentials of blacksmithing and thus, at least temporarily, followed in the footsteps of his stepfather, he had nonetheless resumed use of his birth father's name. he later expanded the act to what became known as the Trail Herd Quartet, led by Nestell and featuring Gilbert "Pee Wee" Holmes, Everett Cheetham, and Drew Stanfield. Aside from the radio station, the group was reportedly featured in the 1930 western Bar-L Ranch, both on the soundtrack and in assorted non-musical supporting roles onscreen.

Personal life and death From November 1911 until her death in 1922, Westell was married to Sophie M. Prewitt, with whom he had two children, a daughter and a son, prizefighter Robert Edward "Bob" Westell. In September 1923, he married Clara Butterbredt.

Following a series of strokes, Westell died at his home in Bishop, California on October 18, 1966 from a heart attack. He was survived by his wife and children.

Selected filmography Sir Lumberjack (1926) When the Law Rides (1928) Cheyenne Trails (1928) The Fighting Legion (1930) Desert Vengeance (1931) The Night Riders (1939) New Frontier (1939) Three Faces West (1940)