HEARNE, Ted William

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 06/30/2006 Ted William Hearne, 90, died at the Friendship House in Eagar, June 23, 2006. Ted was born in Golthwaite, Texas Dec. 29, 1915 to Orville B. and Martha Sullivan Hearne. His family moved to Arizona when he was 8-years old. He was an owner and distributor for the Union Oil Company of California from 1952 until 1983 when he retired. He delivered Union Oil products serving two counties from Show Low to Heber and Springerville as far as the Blue and Reserve, N.M. He was a member of the Springerville Rotary Club and the Toastmaster Club and served as mayor of Springerville two consecutive terms and remained a strong advocate for the Town of Springerville until his death. He became a member of the Masonic Lodge of San Diego in 1942 and has remained a loyal member. Ted, along with two partners (Walt Perry and Burk Payne (both of Phoenix), built and renovated Tal Wi Wi Lodge into a family resort in 1959. (Tal WiWi is an Indian phrase for "place in the sun.") Ted's foremost interest and enjoyment was the White Mountain Range Riders, in which he was a charter member. It began in 1952. This association formed as a businessman's get-away and has endured for over 53 years. Beginning with only 19 riders, today the membership is closed at 50 men with 20 guests. He took great pleasure over the years in organizing, planning and attending the ride himself. But Ted's greatest joy was his family. He was generous to a fault in his love for his wife, daughters and their spouses and his grandchildren. His survivors include his wife, Marjorie Hearne; daughters Teddy (Arthur) Finch, Branson, Mo.; Judy (Malin) Shepherd, Billings, Mont.; and Linda (Dan) Reeve, Alamo, Calif.; brothers Joe Hearne, Moab, Utah, Dan Hearne, Payson; sisters Dorothy Herring, Cornville, and Nancy Palmer, Springerville. He had 16 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, O.B. Hearne and Martha Sumpter; one brother Orville Brad; and one grandson, Danny Finch. His family will miss him and they look forward to seeing his contagious smile again. At the request of Ted's family, please consider donations to the Friendship House, PO Box 578, Eagar, AZ 85925 or RTA Hospice and Palliative Care, 1789 W. Commerce Dr., Lakeside, AZ 85929. Funeral services were held at the Community Presbyterian Church in Springerville, Tuesday, June 27. Interment was at the Springerville Cemetery. Burnham Mortuary, Eagar, handled the arrangements.