SOUTH POINT — When the mayor of South Point died suddenly earlier this month, Ronald West eulogized Bob Armstrong as one of his best friends.

Now the veteran South Point councilman has to step into the shoes of that friend to take over leading the village.

In January West was elected president pro tem of the council he has served for almost 13 years.

“In the absence of the mayor, the president pro tem becomes the mayor,” Village Administrator Pat Leighty said. “Mr. West automatically became acting mayor until he was sworn in as mayor on Monday. That’s how Bob was elected.”

Armstrong took over the mayor’s post in February following the death of long-time mayor Bill Gaskin.

Tuesday the council will meet in special session at 7:30 p.m. to appoint a member of the community to fill West’s council seat through the end of 2011.

Becoming mayor upon Armstrong’s death is “bittersweet,” West said. “ I don’t know how to explain it. I want to keep the village clean and going forward the best way I know how. I believe the village was run well all through the two previous mayors. I plan to continue to work with the village to keep it on the same path.”