Jan. 23 Obituaries

Bill Ward Patton, 83

Services: 2 p.m. Friday at Central Baptist Church in Clovis.

Mrs. Bill Ward Patton, 83, of Ranchvale, died Friday, Jan. 21, 2005, at Laurel Plains Healthcare in Clovis.

She was born on Jan. 24, 1921, in Hope, to John Carroll and Laura Etta Ward. She attended school in Hope and college at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, leaving to join the Women’s Air Force Auxiliary, as a pilot, stationed at Avenger Field in Abilene, Texas during World War II. On Jan. 22, 1946 she married William G. Patton, Sr. in Hope, moving to the Ranchvale Community soon afterwards. Family members said she enjoyed a long history of being involved in agriculture, notably farming, where she was capable of running a tractor, combine, or any other piece of equipment, but her main love was ranching and horses. Family members also said being horseback was her greatest love, and enjoyed it throughout her entire life and she also loved to dance, garden, her pets, her family and peace and quiet. She was one of the founding members of the Cattle Capitol Cowbelles, and participated in every event possible, as a leading member of the riding group, representing the Cowbelles throughout the state and served as treasurer until December 2004. She rode, as late as June 2004, at the homecoming parade at ENMU. She was also an active member of The Ranchvale Extension Club. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Clovis for many years and also attended the Ranchvale Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, John Carroll Ward, Jr.; and a sister, Anna Ruth Ward.

Survivors include her husband; two sons, Gordon Patton (and wife, Betty) of Roswell and Steve Patton and long time companion Vivian Cato of Melrose; four grandchildren, Will Patton (Raeann) of Seattle, Sara Patton of Las Cruces, Chessa Patton and Chance Patton of Houston; an aunt, Jeanne Bullock; a sister-in-law, Erbalene Ward of Artesia; three nephews, Bill Henry Hill of Farmington, Jimmy Pat Hill of Portland and EJ Ward of Roswell; and numerous cousins and extended family.

Dr. Herbert Bergstrom and Greg Martin will officiate the services.

The American Legion Post #31 of Portales will provide the Honor Guard.

Burial will be at Mission Garden of Memories in Clovis.

Pallbearers are Ralph Lund, Charles Petty, Steve Boyd, Jose Chaves, Joe Taylor and Joe Odom.

Honorary Pallbearers are Cattle Capitol Cowbelles and the American Legion Post #31 of Portales.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ranchvale Baptist Church and the Lifesavers Food Bank of Clovis.

Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis.

Vivian R. Morris, 99

Services: 2 p.m. (CST) Monday at Inez Cemetery in Inez.

Vivian R. Morris, 99, of Muleshoe, died Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005, at Park View Nursing Home in Muleshoe.

She was born on Feb. 26, 1905, in McLennan County, Texas, to Charlie and Mary Jane Wortham. She married Scott Morris in Portales on Dec. 26, 1926. She moved to Muleshoe in 1926 from Roosevelt County. She was a homemaker and a member of the Trinity Baptist Church in Muleshoe.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; three sisters; and two brothers.

Survivors include a son, J. Lewis Morris (and wife, Loraine) of Littlefield, Texas; a daughter, Janette Burzee of Davenport, Fla.; a sister, Edna Burnett of Portales; two brothers, Ralph Wortham of Andrews, Texas and Hugh Wortham of Liveoak, Calif.; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

The Rev. Bennie Wright will officiate the services.

Memorial contributions may be made to Park View Nursing Home in Muleshoe.

Arrangements are by Ellis Funeral Home of Muleshoe.

Iva Lee Wilmoth, 88

Services: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Calvary Baptist Church in Portales.

Mrs. Iva Lee Brown Wilmoth, 88, of Des Moines, Wash., died Monday, Jan. 17, 2005, in Des Moines, Wash.

She was born on June 1, 1916, in Royal, Okla., to Mary Ethel Anderson and Troy Lee Brown. The family moved from Oklahoma to Texas by covered wagon in the mid 1920’s. They later moved to the Richland community in southern Roosevelt County where she attended school and graduated. She went on to attend classes at Eastern New Mexico Junior College in Portales for a time before marrying Dale Wilmoth in Clovis on Dec. 22, 1936. They made their home in the Dora area until 1941 when they moved to Morenci, Ariz. In 1969, they moved to York, Ariz. to the new home they had built themselves. She remained there until 2003 when she moved to Des Moines, Wash. to make her home with her daughter. Family members said she was always very active in civic affairs. For many years she was the county director for the 4-H program. She and her husband were among the charter members of the York Baptist Church where she remained active in a variety of roles. Family members said she was a favorite with her grandchildren and nieces and nephews because she loved playing games with them and she also enjoyed working puzzles.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two grandchildren, Rainbow and Tetra Wilmoth; and her husband.

Survivors include three sons, Howard Wilmoth of Federal Way, Wash., Stephen Wilmoth (and wife, Rain) of Pebble Beach, Calif. and James Wilmoth of Las Vegas, Nev.; a daughter, Cathy Tyler (Marco) of Des Moines, Wash.; three grandchildren, Robin Wilmoth-Couchois, Jamie Wilmoth and Adam Cesmat; a great-grandchild, Liam Couchois; three brothers, Leo and Delbert Brown both of Portales and Glen Brown of Roswell; and three sisters, Zell Chapman-Taylor of Portales, Cordia Harvey of Danville, Calif. and Jeanie Travis of Farwell.

The Rev. Ron Kallandar and Rev. Roy Roach will officiate the services.

Burial will be at Mt. Zion Cemetery near Dora.

Pallbearers are Aaron, Fred and Matthew Stevens, Wesley Brown, and Terry and Mike Travis.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.