Bill Upton

William Andrew “Bill” Upton, 85 of Hassell and Melrose, NM died Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at his home in Melrose following an illness. Bill was born February 5, 1924 in Hassell to the home of Thomas Jefferson and Lallah Elizabeth (Hawkins) Upton. He was reared at Hassell and attended school at House, NM where he participated in basketball and football. Bill married his high school sweetheart, Betty Frances Whorton on June 17, 1946 at Clovis, NM. Bill was a member of First Baptist Church at House, NM where he accepted Christ on October 13, 1968. He was active in the community where he served 12 years on the House School Board and was a longtime member of the Hassell Cemetery Association. Bill made his home at Hassell since 1924 and for the past two years he made his home at Melrose. Bill was a lifelong rancher and farmer; he loved his horses and cattle. He enjoyed riding horses and taking care of his cattle. His family was the most important part of his life, his grandchildren were the light of his life, and he was their “PA”. Bill was known to his family and friends as a big tease who loved a practical joke. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Thomas Jefferson Upton in 1934 and Lallah Elizabeth Upton in 1966; an infant sister in 1913; three brothers Buford Thomas Upton in 1943; Harold Upton in 1990; Carl Upton in 2001; two sisters Dorothy Grace in 1924 and Elizabeth Alice in 2008. Survivors include his wife of 62 years Betty Frances Upton of Melrose, NM; three daughters and sons-in-law Linda and Jerry Sparks of Fort Sumner, NM; Shirley and Chuck LaCroix of Bloomfield, NM; Rhonda and Johnny Collins of Los Alamos, NM; seven grandchildren Kyle Sparks and wife Cristi of Fort Sumner; Kimberly Starling and husband John of Burkburnett, TX; Cody Sparks and wife Kelly of Fort Sumner, NM; Desiree Martin and husband Cliff of Albuquerque; Nathan LaCroix and wife Janell of Sacramento, CA; Randy Collins of Roswell, NM; Roy Collins and wife Tanya of Alamosa, Colorado; seven great-grandchildren Hunter Sparks, Hayden Sparks, Makayla Martin, Justin Martin, Kendall Starling, Jace Starling and Kaitlyn LaCroix; also surviving is a sister-in-law Marie Upton and nieces Margaret Pollman and Cathy Upton all of Trenton, Nebraska. Visitation will be Friday, February 20, 2009 from 1pm to 6pm at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, February 21, 2009 from the House High School Gymnasium with Mr. Otho Rogers and Rev. Durward Wofford officiating. Burial will follow at the Hassell Community Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren Kyle Sparks, Kimberly Starling, Cody Sparks, Desiree Martin, Nathan LaCroix, Randy Collins and Roy Collins. Honorary bearers will be Eldon Blackburn, Wayne Blackburn, Butch Smith, Grady Bright, Carl Lightle, Jimmie Snipes and Eddy Shoemaker. The family prefers memorial contributions in Bill's memory to PRMC Hospice, 2217 Dillon Street, Clovis, NM 88101 or Baptist Childrens Home P.O. Box 629, Portales, NM 88130. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book go to www.chavezfuneralhome.com