William Laubner |
| Posted 2009-04-30 by Casa Grande Valley News |
| William Laubner, Jr., 75, of Gu-Vo, AZ went to be with the Lord on April 24, 2009. He passed away from complications following heart surgery. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Margaretha (Weber) and William Laubner, Sr. He graduated from Sewannaka High School in Floral Park, NY in 1951. Bill received a Bachelor of Science degree in English from the University of Arizona and a Master of Arts degree in English from Arizona State University. It was during this time Bill returned to New York and married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Caldera. Prior to their divorce, they lived in Phoenix and had one daughter, Pauline. Following a brief marriage to Eloise Rameriz, Bill, a single father, moved to Ajo, Arizona with his two children Mary Linda and Billy where he was a faculty member at Ajo High School. In 1965 Bill met, fell in love with and married Linda Manuel, daughter of Susan (Childs) and David Manuel, of Ajo, AZ. Bill had a passion for teaching and his classes were sought by students in every school he was a faculty member: Ajo High School, Santa Rosa Indian Boarding School, Morey School, Baboquivari High School, and Central Arizona College. While at CAC, Bill served as Chairperson of the English Department and President of the Faculty Association. He retired from CAC in 1992. Along with teaching, Bill had a passion for sports and often assisted with community athletic programs. Among his favorite were basketball and track. While teaching on the reservation, the Indians gave him the name "Baboth" which means "frog" because he could jump so high. While teaching at CAC Bill met Coach George Young whom he greatly admired and was honored to become an assistant coach for CAC's track and field. Coaching along side Young was a highlight for Bill of which he often reminisced fondly. Bill had a wonderful rapport not only with his students but also with the track team. Students often spend holidays and vacations with Bill and his family. Bill was deeply committed to his faith in Jesus Christ and supported Christian and humanitarian causes locally and around the world. He faithfully said morning and evening prayers for family, friends, physicians, country, and those in need. He was affiliated with the Assembly of God Church. After Bill's retirement, he and Linda moved to Gu-Vo village where she passed away in 2004. Bill remained on the reservation as he had found his home and been embraced among the Tohono O'odham. His niece Lillian Fitts and her mother Angelita (Adoes) became a big support for him. He was often seen in the village running or walking on the dirt roads. He enjoyed the bonds he had made with David and Alberta Manuel and always looked forward to a cook out and watching a good game with them and their family. Bill also enjoyed traveling to Mexico with Frank Manuel to visit Linda's brother Hector Manuel and his family. Bill had many nieces and nephews and loved to take them out for his favorite treat, ice cream. He is survived by his sister Margaret Laubner Stish of East Stroudsburg, PA and his four children: Pauline Burleson of Phoenix, AZ, Mary Linda Laubner of Tucson, AZ, Susan Warmack of Tucson AZ and Texarkana, TX, and the Rev. William Laubner III of Sequim, WA. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Stephanie Neveu, Rachelle Burleson, Jennifer Groseth, Tammy Nevarez, Manny Alarcon, Kristina Laubner, Jordan Kennedy, Joseph Kennedy, David Warmack and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceeded in death by his wife Linda and his brother Frederick Paul Laubner. --------------------------------- April 24, 2009 Mr. Laubner will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife at the family cemetery at Chukutnak near Gu-Vo at the base of the Ajo Mountains on the Tohono O'odham Reservation. Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 29th at 9:30 am, at his home in Gu-Vo with interment immediately following. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either Watersprings Ranch, 7707 Sanderson Lane, Texarkana, AR 71854 or Mike Keyes Ministries International, PO Box 91916, Tucson, AZ 85752. Condolences may be sent to the Laubner Family c/o Warmack, 7587 N. Mystic Canyon Dr., Tucson, AZ 85718. Published April 28, 2009 in the Casa Grande Valley Newspapers. |
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