The following obituaries appeared in the January 8, 2020 edition of the Star Valley Independent.

For more area obituaries, visit schwabmortuary.com.

William (Bill) Joseph Hamilton was born September 28, 1949 in Van Nuys, California to Kathyrn Rita O’Tool and Thomas Moran Hamilton. Bill had two other brothers, one older, one younger.
Bill grew up winters in California and summers near Wilsall, Montana on the family ranch.
After graduation Bill bounced around between California and Montana.
Then Bill enlisted in the Marines, he was able to play football in the service in Okinowa for a while, but finally was headed to Vietnam for his “senior tour”.
When Bill received his honorable discharge, he headed back to California where he worked in the Operating Engineers through the Teamsters Union and the refinery in Van Nuys.
He found the love of bass fishing and was successful at it winining many tournaments including the Bassmasters a couple of times.
He decided to head to Jackson Hole in the mid 90’s where he worked a few odd jobs, but finally settled at DELCON working for Dean Lewis as a master plumbing/boiler technitian until his retirement.
He thouroughly loved his job and working for Mr. Lewis until it became too hard to crawl in the crawlspaces.
In the summer of 2012, he bought a bass boat and a camper and traveled across the country in the winter, and migrated back to Wyoming and Montana in the spring through the fall. He never let the snow get on his truck and camper. He packed up and headed south.
He loved to hunt and fish. He had many friends that liked to hunt and fish with him.
2018/2019 he wintered in Mesquite, Nevada, but the cancer was taking its toll and he knew that it would be his last winter south.
He made it to the new decade. Bill left us January 2, 2020.
Bill’s wish was no services especially in the winter, but he wanted a gathering of friends in late June.
GOD speed Marine you fought the good Fight…
Semper FI

Garry Lynne Shearer was born January 25, 1939 in Buckhannon, West Virginia. Her parents were John and Helen Shock of Webster Springs, West Virginia. She has one sibling, her brother John Paul Shock of Little Rock, Arkansas.
She was a 1956 Valedictorian graduate of Webster Springs High School in Webster Springs. She continued her education at West Virginia University where she graduated with a degree in Secondary Education, certified to teach both Social Studies and English. She worked as an educator in both Buckhannon and Weston, West Virginia most of her adult life. After retirement, she continued to be an advocate for education as President of the West Virginia Association of Retired School Employees and locally as a President of the Lewis County, West Virgina chapter of AARP.
She was always active in politics and lobbied the West Virginia Legislature tirelessly for causes she felt were important. She also served as President of the Lewis County Chapter of the West Virginia Federation of Democratic Women. She served as President of the Lewis County Rotary Club as well. She was active in Church and was a longtime member of the Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church Congregation in Weston, West Virginia.
Garry Lynne moved to Wyoming in February of 2017 to be near her son, Michael Thompson, his wife Pamela, and her two grandchildren Piper and Parker. Health issues forced her into an Assisted Living Facility where she furthered her connections of friends and Faith Family. For the past two years the other residents of Beyond Home in Afton, Wyoming readily accepted her friendship and they all became very close. She also started attending Holy Family Catholic Church in Thayne. The Deacon and the Council of Catholic Women would visit her each Tuesday and give her communion and sit and chat about life in general.
Garry Lynne was preceded in death by her first husband Roger Lee Thompson and second husband Robert Conrad Shearer.
She is survived by her brother John Paul Shock, son Michael R. Thompson, four step-daughters Cindy, Theresa, Tina, and Debbie Shearer, and adopted son William Shearer.
A Celebration of her life will take place this summer in West Virginia and details are still being arranged. Friends and family will be notified with details in the near future.

Roland Theodore Minson, age 90, died Wednesday, January 1, 2020 at his home in Afton, Wyoming reuniting him with the love of his life, Carol who died in 2017.
Roland was born February 18, 1929, in Idaho Falls, to Blanche Thelma Wold and Thomas Theodore “Ted” Minson. Basketball was his first love. Blanche said Roland took his first steps chasing a ball. His earliest memories included playing catch with his dad. Roland’s parents divorced when he was 10 years old. He and his younger brother, Jerry were raised by their mother. From an early age Roland loved to read. By age 11, Roland began to earn his way by picking potatoes. He helped save gas money by riding his mother on the handlebars of his bike to take her to work.
Roland attended Idaho Falls High School earning All-State honors playing basketball. Pursued by offers from Ohio State, UCLA and Utah, he chose to play basketball for BYU. There, surrounded by amazing teammates, they won the 1951 NIT championship where Roland was named MVP of the tournament. Roland set scoring records at BYU that stood for over two decades.
Roland was drafted by the NY Knicks, but Uncle Sam was calling. The Korean War was on. Roland became an officer in the Navy. Roland switched from basketballs to babies when he married a brown haired, brown eyed beauty, Carol Nancy Dexter, August 10, 1951 in the Idaho Falls Temple.
Following the Navy, Roland put his family first; passing on the Knicks repeated offers and went into banking. He returned to BYU basketball as an assistant coach to Stan Watts from 1961-1963. He loved basketball, but hated being away from his family while coaching and recruiting. Roland went to work for Union Bank and the family moved to Woodland Hills, California. There, Roland served as a Bishop and in the Stake Presidency for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wonderful family friends and memories were made as they raised their seven children there.
Roland and Carol later served three 18-month missions for the church to England. Roland and Carol spent their final years in beautiful Star Valley, Wyoming near two of their children, Dave Minson and Geri Scherbel and wonderful neighbors and friends. They loved teaching about the Book of Mormon.
Roland is survived by his children: Geri Scherbel (Paul), Dave Minson (Sue), Steve Minson (Julie), Christine Francis (Marc), Karen Donald (Dave), Ron Minson (Lynette), and Robert Minson (Amanda); sisters: Joy Hunt, Nancy Condie, Carolyn Skee, Mary Ann Cameron, and Claire Christensen; brothers: Don Minson and Sam Minson; 39 grandchildren and 69 great grandchildren.
Roland was preceded in death by his loving wife Carol; brothers Jerry and Thomas; sister Diane Minson and grandson, John Minson.
Roland lived a life of gratitude and “joy in his posterity.” He is our hero, father, friend, teacher and mentor.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 11 at 12 p.m. in the Afton Stake Center. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. prior to the service.

Terry Lynn Brunson, 67, of Blackfoot, Idaho, passed away on December 31, 2019, peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends. Terry was a man who loved life. He pursued many activities like hunting, fishing, snow machining, and horseback riding. He was born February 22, 1952 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Clarence and Lucy Brunson. He was the eldest of nine children. He resided in Groveland, Idaho Falls, and Shelley where he graduated from Shelley High School. Terry was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a successful mission in the California North Mission. He had many siblings: Corein (Dan) Christiansen, Burdette (Tracy) Brunson, Clarice Mechling, Clarence Reed “C.R.” (Barbi) Brunson, Colleen (Dan) Goree, Celia (Thomas) Beasley, Christopher (Brandy) Brunson, Carolyn (Ted) Neal.
In his professional life, he was an innovative and accomplished Beekeeper for over 50 years, and an owner of Cox’s Honey Farms. Personally, he was a devoted family man and loved making “fun” out of everything. He will always be remembered as a person, who at the drop of a hat would help anyone in need. Terry had many abilities and was a jack-of-all-trades. When a problem would arise, that is when he would shine the brightest. He also served in numerous church callings for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, including Scouting, Primary and as an Elders Quorum teacher.
He and Suzanne L. Belton were married and sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on June 27, 1975, and had eight children, Kelly (Kevin) Chappell, Melanie (Damon) Lemon, Clayton (Deborah) Brunson, Mandy (Jeff) Seiber, Caleb (Erica) Brunson, Kendall (Andrea) Brunson, Kurtis (Erin) Brunson, and Keenan (Debra) Brunson. Terry married Wanda McRae on March 21, 1998, was later sealed to Wanda, welcomed Christopher (Ruth) Morrow, Marty Morrow, and Savanna Brunson into the family. Wanda passed away May 2, 2003. Terry and Linda were married and sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on October 30, 2003. He added another branch to the family tree by welcoming Jerry (Kim) Struhs, Michael (Erica) Kirby and Erin Kirby. With his posterity at the current time reaching 46 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He is preceded in in death by his parents; former wife, Wanda and Dennis Mechling.
A viewing will be held Friday January 10, 2020 from 6pm until 8pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center located at 1650 Highland Drive, Blackfoot, Idaho. Viewing prior to funeral services 10am – 10:30am. Funeral services will be held at 11am, Saturday, January 11, 2020, at the Rose ward chapel located at 403 North 150 West, Rose, Idaho. Burial will follow at the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery.