William Simeon Blackmore

Death Claims Wm. S. Blackmore, 69, After Months of Illness; Services To Be Held Here Sunday Afternoon

Thon Book No. 4

Many weeks of declining health, brought on by a lingering ailment, were ended for William Simeon Blackmore one of Niobrara County's most highly respected citizens when he passed away at 8:00 o'clock Wednesday morning at the Lusk Hospital. Mr. Blackmore who had attained the age of 69 years, 6 months, and one day, had been hospitalized almost continuously since the latter part of January.

Mr. Blackmore was a native of Nebraska, born at Girard on Nov. 17, 1879. one of six sons of John and Ann Blackmore. He attended school and grew to manhood in that locality, and on April 26, 1906, was married to Lele May Sparks, at Royal, Nebr. Five years later he came to this state and homesteaded on what is now the family home in the Royal Valley community.

To this union twelve children were born, nine of whom survive and who are Theron, Clyde, Guy, Eugene, and Anna May of Lusk; Edward of Washington D.C.; Harold of Buena, Wash.; Delmar of Scottsbluff, Nebr. and LeRoy of Newcastle, Wyo. Mrs. Blackmore and three sons preceded him in death, Mrs. Blackmore passing away Feb. 20, 1948; Clifford on April 4, 1948; Merlin, killed in action Oct. 16, 1943 while serving with American forces in the Pacific theater of operations and Bobby, who was accidentally drowned on July 29, 1941. All five brothers, Augusts of Atwood, Kan.; Thomas of Neligh, Nebr.; Charles and Richard of Alberta, Canada, and Benjamin of Colona, Wis., also survive.

Last services for Mr. Blackmore will be held from the chapel of the Peet funeral home at 1:30 o'clock p.m. Sunday May 22nd . Rev. Lawrence P. Juell, pastor of the Congregational Christian church of this city, will officiate. Interment will be in the family plot in the Lusk cemetery.

Mr. Blackmore, after coming to this county, engaged in farming and ranching and for many years was widely known for his production of certified potatoes, being one of the principal growers in this state. He was compelled to abandon farming during the war, which took six of his sons to service - the largest number to be represented by any single family in the county.

He was also a member of the board of trustees of School Dist. No. 1 of Niobrara County, and was president of the board at the time the present high school was built and dedicated.

Lusk Herald
May 19, 1949
W.S. Blackmore, 69, Dies Wed.

William S. Blackmore, 69, a long time resident of Niobrara County, passed away at the Lusk Hospital about 8:00 a.m. this (Wednesday) morning, May 11, after a long illness. Note: Other sources have the death date as May 18, 1949.

Mr. Blackmore brought his family to Wyoming locating on a ranch south of Lusk, in 1910 and that has remained the family home ever since.

His wife preceded him in death in February, 1948.

Funeral arrangements are still indefinite, awaiting word from one son who lives in Washington, D.C. and another in the state of Washington.

The obituary and complete details will be published in next week's Herald.

The Lusk Herald
May 26, 1949
Services Held for W.S. Blackmore

Funeral services for William S. Blackmore were conducted on Sunday, May 22, from the Peet Chapel at 1:30 p.m. with Rev.
Lawrence P. Juell, pastor of the Christian Congregational Church, officiating.

The songs, "Going Down the Valley" and "Just as I Am" were sung by Mrs. A.F. DeCastro, Mrs. H. J. Templeton, Donley Unruh and Rex Yocum accompanied by Mrs. J.P. Watson.

The casket was conducted to its final resting place in the family plot in the Lusk Cemetery by six sons of the deceased.

William S. Blackmore, the son of John and Ann Blackmore, was born at Girard, Nebr. on Nov. 17, 1879 and was one of six sons. He received his education in the schools of that locality where he grew to manhood and was married to Miss Lela May Sparks at Royal, Nebr., on April 25, 1905. They are the parents of 12 children, 11 sons and one daughter.

The family moved to Wyoming in 1910 and homesteaded on land in the Royal Valley community, which has remained the family home ever since.

Mr. Blackmore died at the Lusk Hospital Wednesday, May 18, after a lingering illness. He was preceded in death by his wife and three sons: Bobby, who was accidentally drowned July 20, 1941; Merlin, who was killed in action in the Pacific during World War II on October 16, 1943; Mrs Blackmore, who died Feb 20, 1948 and Clifford who died from burns received when his home burned April 4, 1948.

The eight sons who survive are: Theron, Clyde, Guy and Eugene of Lusk; Edward of Washington, D.C.; Harold of Buena, Wash.; Delmar of Scottsbluff, Nebr.; LeRoy of Newcastle, Wyo. and a daughter, Miss Anna Mae of Lusk.

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