WILTBANK, Harold Hews

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ January 14, 2011 Harold Hews Wiltbank, 84, died Monday, Jan. 10, 2011, at his residence in Eagar. He was born April 30, 1926, in Eagar, the son of Milford Jay Wiltbank, Sr. and Geneva Plumb Wiltbank. Hews served his country in the US Army in 1944; was a farmer, rancher, and heavy equipment operator in the Operating Engineers Local 428. He served three missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Northern California, Nephi, Utah, and in the Mesa Arizona Temple. He was a councilman for the Town of Eagar for four years. Hews was instrumental in bringing television reception to the Round Valley area in the early 50s. He assisted as camp help for the White Mountain Range Riders Association. Hews was a dedicated family man, married to his sweetheart for 59 years. He was compassionate and kind with a wonderful sense of humor. Hews loved the White Mountains and his deep ancestral roots. He loved to travel the area from Round Valley to Big Lake to St. Johns to Holbrook. He was an accomplished "blade man" with a reputation for having a built in "level." "He was a "helluva" cowboy and we will miss him dearly!" He is survived by his loving wife, Adell Reynolds Wiltbank; sons: Harold Dean (Janelle) Wiltbank of Linden, and Thad Milton (Susan) Wiltbank of Eagar; daughters Ethelyn Wiltbank (Bill) Ruddell of Queen Creek, and Karalea Wiltbank (Carl) Cox of Eagar; 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Clive Wiltbank and Milford Jay Wiltbank, Jr.; and sisters Elene Wiltbank and Mary Bess Burton. A viewing will be held at Burnham Mortuary Friday, Jan. 14, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, at the Amity Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 575 W. School Bus Road in Eagar. A viewing will also be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow the service at the Eagar Cemetery. Burnham Mortuary of Eagar handled arrangements. To send online condolences, visit www.burnhammortuary.com