BRETCHER, William

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona April 4, 1968 Man Dies in Plunge from Yarnell Hill Yarnell Hill claimed another victim Monday night and the death toll on highway in the Wickenburg patrol area since January mounted to four. William D. Bretcher, age 41, a resident of Town's Trailer Court in Peeple's Valley, lost his life when his pickup truck went out of control just above Elephant Curve, left the road on the left side, crossed over and plunged 147 feet into a canyon. He was thrown out and killed. Bretcher's wife, Martha, age 48, stayed in the vehicle until it came to a stop and, despite multiple internal injuries, crawled up to the highway to summon aid. In the meantime, a motorist saw the headlights of the pickup down in the canyon and spread the alarm in Yarnell where a resident summoned Deputy Sheriff Otis Flower. Mrs. Bretcher was taken to the Prescott Community Hospital. Her condition is critical. Arizona Highway Patrol Bob Kircher of Aguila investigated the accident. Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona April 11, 1968 William Bretcher Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. April 4 at the chapel of the Garden Mortuary in Prescott for William D. Bretcher who was killed when his pickup truck plunged into a canyon on Yarnell Hill the night of April 1. Burial was in the Mountain View Cemetery. Mr. Bretcher, who lived at Town's Trailer Court in Peeples Valley, was 41 years of age, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and an Army Air force veteran of World War II. He had been a computer engineer for IBM Corp. before moving to Peeple's Valley a year ago. He is survived by his wife Martha, who was seriously injured in the accident; his parent, two step sons and a brother.