THURBER, William Schuyler (Sky)

Wickenburg (AZ) Sun Thursday, October 28, 1982, p 8 Wickenburg has sustained a sad loss. William Schuyler Thurber died quietly as he had lived on the 16th October in his home in the hills on Thurber Road. Sky and his wife Liz, came to Remuda Ranch as guests in 1944 from their home in Barrington, Illinois. We counted them as perfect guests. They joined in any activity the ranch offered, all the staff loved them, and they were invaluable in the way they greeted new guests and helped them over the strangeness of the first few days on the ranch. They loved the desert and always went on the picnics and cook-outs. Sky bought his own horse and both were fine riders. Liz delighted in painting the desert scenes around her. They returned to the ranch every winter for five years when they bought the adjoining land and built their own home. They moved into it in 1950. Soon after that they bought the Brayton's Commercial Store and ran it for several years. Such a venture was very new to them, and they loved the adventure of it, and laughed happily over the many funny things that happened there. Later they undertook a new venture again and opened Thurber's Western Wear, a store for fine Western clothing, on Valentine street. Then still later they closed Brayton's and opened The Calico Corner, a store for yard goods. Liz became ill and I know her many devoted friends still grieve for her. Sky was a lovable person. His quiet sense of humor and his very real love for people kept him quietly interested in all whom he met. Anyone who knew him well felt a warmth for him and from him and admired him greatly. He was not a joiner but in his private way he helped Wickenburg in every way that he could. He did a great deal towards getting our hospital built, open and running. He was involved in encouraging The Valley National Bank to open its first branch here. He was responsible for the lovely altar at St Alban's Church, and was a Warden of the Church and served it unselfishly as long as he was active. He sold Brayton's Commercial Building at a sacrifice so that we could have a museum in town. Anything the Chamber of Commerce did, he was supportive of and backed them with enthusiam and wisdom. Gold Rush Days delighted him and he and Liz wore appropriate costumes for those days and encouraged others to do the same. Sky was a dignified and handsome figure in his top hat and tails and enjoyed acting as the undertaker at the shootout at the opening of Gold Rush Days. Both he and Liz were most helpful in promoting the parade, and many a float could attribute its success to their help both in materials and ideas. These are some of the invaluable public acts that we know, their private charities and kindnesses we'll never know but they will be gratefully remembered by their many friends. Sky was a kind and benevolent and honorable man always. We were lucky that the Thurber's chose Wickenburg for their home, and I know I am joined by many in grieving over their passing. They will be sadly missed. --Sophie Burden