The following obituaries appeared in the January 15, 2020 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
For more area obituaries, visit Schwab Mortuary.
William Byron Titensor passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family in the early morning hours of January 6, 2020. He was 94 years and 11 months old.
Byron was born February 26, 1925 to Philemon and Martha Titensor at the ranch house in Thayne. He spent his entire life there.
When Byron was five his dad bought him his first horse, named Johnny. Byron spent every possible minute riding Johnny, moving cattle, swimming Johnny down Salt River or just riding with friends.
Eventually Johnny got old and ornery so Bryron’s dad sold him to a herder on Greys River. Byron cried for days. One morning Bryron woke up and found Old Johnny standing below his window. The horse had walked home from Greys River to get back to his beloved boy.
Byron was an excellent hadn with a horse and helped with all the farming. He spent many a Sunday afternoon bucking yearling colts and soon started riding bucking horses at local rodeos – winning the Henry Stampede in Soda Springs.
He also operated his dad’s caterpillal skidding logs to build the early Thayne LDS Church and also paved the highway through Thayne.
Byron met the love of his life, Wilma, at a dance in Afton. After a year of courtship they were married on October 6, 1945. They made their home in Thayne and raised two children, Terry and Connie. In 1971 they sold the farm to Terry.
In 1948 the All American Cutter/Chariot Racing Association was formed. Byron was a charter member and remained with the organization for 35 years.
In 1961 he was offered the position of Brand Inspector for the Lower Valley. In 1973 he was named Brand Inspector of the Year.
Byron was instrumental in organizing the Thayne Volunteer Fire Department, served on the town council and was a member of the Piggin String Riding Club.
In 2015 he was inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame. His entire family was able to attend the event.
Byron is survived by his wife; son Terry (Pam) Titensor; daughter Connie Wright; six grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. He was preceeded in death by his parents, Phi and Martha; son-in-law Craig Wright; along with his six siblings: Blanch Heap; May Titensor; Thelma Stoker; Grace Robinson; Verda Robdinson; and Clayne Titensor.
Services were held January 11 in the Thayne LDS Stake Center. Burial took place in the Thayne Cemetery.
On Friday January 3, 2020 Randy M Erickson passed away peacefully in his home in Washington, Utah of natural causes. He lived life to the fullest, enjoying riding motorcycles, golf, Nascar, drag racing, restoring classic cars, and hunting.
Randy was born June 8, 1949 to Marcia Erickson Faulhaber, He attended school in Star Valley at various schools, he had the luxury of attending the school in which his grandparents were currently teaching. He graduated from Star Valley High School and then attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah.
He met and married the love of his life Gloria Jean Dennis. They were married April 21, 1967 at Eldon and Graces home in Fairview, Wyoming. They had four children.
He started working at a young age to support his growing family. He worked at various jobs such as the Star Valley sawmill as a machine operator, Smoky Mountain mine in Soda Springs, Idaho as an heavy equipment operator, many years in the road construction business as a heavy equipment operator. He then moved on to the oil, gas, and mining industry spending many years of his life in this field. His brilliant mind and work ethics shone through during this time as he built his own successful oilfield Safety business. Many of his policies and procedures are still used in the industry today. He left a lasting mark and impression on many people and companies within this field.
Randy is survived by his wife Gloria Jean Erickson of Washington, Utah, children: Kristin (Todd) Nicholls, Randy (Stacy) Erickson, Jennifer (Matt) Robbins, Judd Erickson, siblings: Sherry (Frank) Spencer, Jackie (Mike) Massimino, and Michael (Michelle) Faulhaber, ten grandchildren: Jordan, Jaden, Jaxon, Tyler, Mason (Joie), Lindsey, Graceann, Chesney, Kinzley, and Presley.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents Eldon and Grace Erickson, his mother Marcia Faulhaber, Step father Richard Faulhaber, father Reuel T Call, and aunts and uncles Ree Erickson, Fayla Hall, LaJette Johns, Joy Erickson, Joyce Wyatt that were truly like his siblings. They all had a hand in raising him, their influences touched his life in many ways.
At Randy’s request services will be held this summer, June 13 in Star Valley, Wyoming. Interment will be at the Fairview, Wyoming cemetery. One of Dad’s last wishes was to have a “cold one,” in his memory. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity in his honor.
Sharon Kay Roberts Linford passed away peacefully in her home on January 6, 2020. She was born August 30, 1936 in Rock Springs Wyoming, to goodly parents, Floyd Lester Roberts and Helen Sarah Kelley Roberts. When she was a young girl her parents moved her to Cokeville, Wyoming, so Floyd could run the telephone office there. He later became the owner of the Bear River Mercantile store and their family became prominent members of the little town, with Floyd also serving as mayor.
Sharon married her high school sweetheart in September of 1954, four days after turning 18. They moved to a small ranch in Raymond, Idaho where Jon had grown up and they made their home there for 32 years. Sharon was a lover of all things beautiful and was a creative and talented decorator. She went out of her way to make her home a lovely place to be for her family and could often be found doing a project like wallpapering or painting something. She was also a very domestic person and became skilled at baking and cooking.
It took Jon and Sharon five long years to bring their first child into the world, but in July of 1959 they gave birth to their son, Jon Floyd, then in February of 1965 another son, Jay Thomas followed. Their caboose was Melissa Kay born in June of 1968. Sharon was a mom first and everything else was secondary. She created a beautiful home, beautiful memories, and had great love from each of her children and her dear husband.
Sharon joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after taking the missionary discussions in her twenties. She had a powerful witness of the truthfulness of what she was being taught and became a very active member, activating Jon as well. They were sealed to their children in the Logan, Utah temple in 1975. Sharon served in many church callings over the years and used her great love and talent for music in many of these. She was a very skilled piano player and she accompanied numerous singers all over the valley. She sang in and led choirs and spent years teaching music in the primary.
Sharon and Jon moved back to Cokeville in 1986 and were very happy there until the death of Jon in 2003. At that time Sharon moved to Pleasant Grove, Utah to live with her daughter Melissa. This was a gut-wrenching move for her as she mourned the loss of her beloved Jon every single day. However, she quickly made friends, settled in, and enjoyed her grandkids in her new life. Her last move was to live with her son Jon and his wife Evelyn, going between Riverton, Utah, and Rexburg, Idaho. True to form, she always made the best of her situation, embraced her new homes and had dozens of new friends in both Pleasant Grove, and Rexburg. In her later life, she visited Hawaii, Paris, and Italy with her family. She spent her days surrounded by her adoring children, 5 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, as that is what always made her happiest. Sharon was full of life, fun and funny, loving and giving, determined, with a fighting spirit. Her presence was huge in the lives of her posterity and she will be sorely missed. There are lives to be honored and Sharon Linford lived one of those. We are forever grateful for the lessons she taught, the stories she told and the great example she set for us. We love you, mama.
Sharon is proceeded in death by her husband Jon, her son Jay and her great-granddaughter, Ellie. She is survived by a son (Jon Floyd, married to Evelyn), a daughter,(Melissa), five grandchildren (Sharon Anne, married to Bobby, Jon Robert, Thomas, J.C, married to Sara, and Maggie) and four great-grandchildren (Olivia, Lydia, Ian and Amelie).
Funeral services were held January 11, 2020 in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Cokeville 1st Ward Chapel at 1:00 p.m. A viewing was held from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. prior to services. Interment was in the Cokeville Cemetery following services.
Vernal Sessions, 81, of Mesa, Arizona passed away peacefully at home on January 1, 2020 surrounded by loved ones. Although we are heartbroken that he is no longer with us, we are rejoicing in the knowledge that he is enjoying a reunion with other family members.
Vernal was born on October 20, 1938 in Afton, Wyoming to Marvin Sessions and Veda Stoker Sessions. He graduated from Star Valley High School in 1956 and attended Utah State University where he earned his MBA in 1962.
It is there he met the love of his life, Sally Ann Huber, on a blind date. After a three-year courtship, the couple married on December 22, 1960 in the Salt Lake Temple. Shortly after the couple received their degrees in their chosen fields, they moved to Arizona where they lived for the next 52 years. They lived in Fort Huachuca, Phoenix, and finally Mesa.
Vernal worked for several companies during his career as a financial planner and retired from Wells Fargo Securities. Even during his retirement, Vernal could be found and ready to go at 6 a.m. at his desk at home checking the status of the stock market. In his free time, Vernal enjoyed hunting deer and elk, as well as fishing for trout and salmon.
Vernal was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in various church callings throughout his life. He loved the Savior and had a strong testimony of the gospel. He lived the life of service to others. He followed the Savior’s command to “Feed my sheep”.
Vernal is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sally Huber Sessions and his three brothers, Noel, Alan, and Quinn from Wyoming. He is also survived by his four children: Dean (Danette) Sessions, Mark (Janet) Sessions, Jill (Richard) Woolf, and Lee Sessions. Vernal felt very blessed to have 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents Marvin Perry Sessions and Veda Emily Stoker Sessions.
Services were held in Vernal’s honor on January 10, 2020 at 11 a.m., preceded by a visitation at 10 a.m. at the Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1550 N Val Vista Dr 85213. Interment was at the City of Mesa Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the humanitarian organization of your choice.
Our angel mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister returned to her heavenly home and many loved ones waiting there to greet her on January 5, 2020.
Wyoma Harmon Bruce was born on March 22, 1921, in Fairview Wyoming, to Walter and LaPrele Harmon. She was the second oldest of thirteen children.
She married Charles Parsons Bruce on October 26, 1939, in the Logan Temple in a double ceremony with her younger sister Sybil. Wyoma and Charles raised six children.
She grew up in a home that was filled with music. Her family loved to sing together and all of them, including Wyoma had beautiful voices. She and her family also loved dancing and that was an important part of their entertainment and leisure time. Her father taught her to dance by having her stand on his feet.
She loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and served in many church callings. She had a strong desire to share the gospel throughout her life. Wyoma’s strong testimony of Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation molded and influenced the lives of both family and friends. She and her husband Charles served together in the Baton Rogue, Louisiana mission/Tallahassee Florida mission in1986-1987.
Wyoma loved the temple! She and Charles served together in the Mesa Temple for many years, serving as coordinators in Iniatory and the Baptistry as well as other areas.in the temple. They also served together in the sealing office after Charles was called to be a sealer in 1991. In later years she loved attending the temple and did so even when it was difficult for her to be there due to her failing health.
Wyoma loved cooking and was known for her excellent, nutritious meals and baking. She also had artistic talent and after her children were grown she took up oil painting and created renderings of actual scenes from her life. She was an amazing mother, grandmother and homemaker!
Wyoma is survived by four of her children, Gary (Linda) of Phoenix, Arizona, Janis Olson (John) of Fair Oaks, California, Bonnie Riggs (Barry) of Brigham City, Utah and David of Mesa, Arizona, 28 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren and four great great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Charles and sons Bob and Bill.
A viewing will be held on Saturday January 18, 2020 preceding the funeral from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Brigham City West Stake Center located at 895 North 625 West in Brigham City, Utah. Her Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. A graveside and memorial service will be held at Mariposa Gardens, 6747 E. Broadway Road in Mesa Arizona on Saturday January 25, at 1 p.m.
