William "Bill" Sanford Hales

William "Bill" Hales, age 92, of Lusk, passed away at his home in Lusk Mon., Mar. 31, 2014. Funeral services are pending.

Pier Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The Lusk Herald
April 9, 2014

Funeral services for William "Bill" Hales, 92, were held Saturday, April 5th, 2014, at Pier Funeral Home, with Pastor Mark Lohr officiating.

William Sanford Hales --"Bill" as he was known by all -- was born December 29, 1921, at the family home in the Whitman community northeast of Lusk, Niobrara County, Wyoming. He passed peacefully at his home on March 31st, 2014.

He was the third son of Lee Carlton and Jennie May (Cooper) Hales. The family moved north to the current location of the family ranch in the spring of 1922, where he lived his childhood and early adult years. He married Wyoma Fay Brunckhorst September 22, 1942, in Harrison, Nebraska. Bill was 20, Wyoma wasn't 18, but they said she was. This is how a lifelong marriage began.

Bill enlisted in the United States Navy in August, 1943. After completing basic training in Farragut, Idaho, he entered the Pacific theatre of operations. Most of his tour of duty was in the Marshall Islands. Bill received an honorable discharge in January, 1946, with the rank of Boatswain Mate 2nd Class.

Upon returning home, Bill returned to ranching, with wife Wyoma by his side. The "Crofutt" place in the Hat Creek community was their home until purchasing the Hales ranch in 1952. The ranch was their home until Bill's arthritis necessitated their retirement and move into Lusk in 1988.

Having five children, with 20 years between the youngest and oldest, was proof that nothing in their marriage meant more than family. The ability to do a lot of activities with his six grandchildren may not have been as he would have wished, but the memories of countless hours with them on his lap will never be forgotten.

Bill was the traditional cowboy, cattleman, and rancher through and through. His lifelong passion was for the ranch, a good cross-bred cow, and a quality bridle horse. He believed that cattle work was done from the back of a horse. After arthritis stole that part of his life, friends and family saw him adapt to a new ride. As it turned out, a pickup with a good grill guard was rather efficient, also. The gatherings of friends, neighbors, and family for holidays, hunting, brandings or working cattle, were great sources of enjoyment his entire life.

The ability to "make do" with what he had, and the philosophy of "any job worth doing better be done to the best of your ability" were more than words. They were a part of his being. Resourceful is a word that must be part of any discussion about Bill and his ranch life. The ability to be a veterinarian, carpenter, electrician, mechanic, plumber, farrier, horseman, etc., was necessary to have a successful ranch 42 miles from town.

Bill is survived by daughter Betty Schomberg and husband Bill Schomberg of Pierce, NE, sons Lee Hales and wife Tinette on the family ranch at Lusk, and Sam Hales and wife Patty of Casper; six grandchildren--Steve and Curt Downing, Chad and Barry Schomberg, William (Chancy) and Trisha Hales, and one great-granddaughter Jaycee Schomberg. Other survivors include six step-great-grandchildren he was never able to meet, eleven nieces, a nephew, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Wyoma (in 2002), brothers Ed, Warren (Lee), and Robert (Wayne), sister Dorothy Schwab, infant daughter Jo Ann, daughter and son-in-law Janice and Jack Downing, and granddaughter Breyden Emelia Hales.

Memorials in honor of Bill's life may be made to the Niobrara County Senior Center or a recipient of your choice.

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