BRADSHAW, Wayne Hurman

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ July 6, 2009 Wayne Hurman Bradshaw, 77, died Saturday morning, June 27, 2009, at Tall Pines Care Center in Show Low, following a lengthy battle with liver cancer. Wayne was born Jan. 22, 1932, in Hurricane, Utah, to the late David Burr and Alice Evadna (Spendlove) Bradshaw. As a young man, he served his country by enlisting in the U.S. Army Reserves. In 1955 he married the former Mary Wilgus. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After 32 years together, their marriage unfortunately ended in divorce. On Nov. 24, 1987, he married Melys Anez (Dobson) in Las Vegas, Nev. Their marriage was later solemnized in the St. George Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at which time Melys' daughter, Rebicca Lynn, was sealed to both of them for "Time and all Eternity." Wayne worked as a bus driver for the Orange County Transit Association in California from 1980 until retiring from there in September of 1993. In November of that year, Wayne and Melys moved to Las Vegas, Nev., where he began working as a tour bus driver. His travels, as a tour bus driver took him to the Grand Canyon, Utah, all over Nevada and even to California for the Parade of Roses in Pasadena and the Rose Bowl. Also, with his snow-white beard, Wayne was "Santa Claus" to many thousands of kids in the Las Vegas area and was the first and only "Santa Claus" for the MGM Grand Hotel. Wayne is survived by his wife, Melys Bradshaw of Arizona; children Karen Bradshaw of California, David Wayne (Connie) Bradshaw of California, Michael Bradshaw of California, Katheryn Ray of California, Jerry (Laura Lee) Bradshaw of Utah and Jayne Bradshaw of Utah; brothers Que (Flo) Bradshaw of Arizona, Don (Pat) Bradshaw of California; former wife Mary Bradshaw; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He will also be greatly missed by his two dogs, Micky Burr and Dusty 2. He was preceded in death by his sister, Phyllis Heslop, and daughter, Rebicca Lynn. A memorial service for Wayne will be held at a later date during the summer at the Rainbow Lake Ward Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pinetop-Lakeside. Owens Livingston Mortuary White Mountain Chapel of Show Low handled arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences, or to sign an online guest book, visit www.owenslivingstonmortuary.com.