William Vernon Shelley, known to all as Vern, passed away peacefully at home in Silver City on December 19th. He was born in Silver City on February 19, 1939 to William H. and Aileen Shelley of Gila, New Mexico.
Vernon was a graduate of Cliff High School where he took part in FFA and basketball. Vern went on to receive his Bachelor and Masters’ degree in Agriculture at NMSU and taught Agricultural Studies in California. In New Mexico, he spent nine months working at the Apollo site in Las Cruces. Vern also worked at the Chino mines in Hurley and at the Phelps Dodge mines in both Tyrone and Morenci AZ. After Vern retired, he was the caretaker of the Cliff-Gila Mesa Cemetery for a number of years.
Vernon taught himself to play the fiddle and steel guitar, which he played in local western bands around southwest New Mexico, often as the lead. He enjoyed telling stories about the Gila area and wrote a short book on the history of the Cliff/Gila Schools. Vern was always keen to swap stories over coffee with his many friends. Vern was a talented artist and painted many landscapes of New Mexico to share with family and friends. Visitors to his home were often treated to his specialty Dutch oven biscuits. Vern always loved his dogs and was the first to bring the Heeler into Grant County. Vernon was an avid horseman and was the quintessential cowboy to all who knew him.
Vernon is survived by his loving wife Daneen McMillen Shelley; daughter Elizabeth
(Jim) Ginn, grandsons Lance (Hannah) and Travis (Kasey); stepson Mark (Lynda) Lutkin, grandchildren Sarri Lutkin, Jaryn (Susan) Lutkin, great-granddaughters Eleanor and Annika Lutkin; stepdaughter Shannon Mensinger, grandchildren Sheena and Simon Mensinger; stepson Sean Lutkin; brother Robert H. Shelley and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
A Memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation will take place at Terrazas Crematory. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.
Vernon was a graduate of Cliff High School where he took part in FFA and basketball. Vern went on to receive his Bachelor and Masters’ degree in Agriculture at NMSU and taught Agricultural Studies in California. In New Mexico, he spent nine months working at the Apollo site in Las Cruces. Vern also worked at the Chino mines in Hurley and at the Phelps Dodge mines in both Tyrone and Morenci AZ. After Vern retired, he was the caretaker of the Cliff-Gila Mesa Cemetery for a number of years.
Vernon taught himself to play the fiddle and steel guitar, which he played in local western bands around southwest New Mexico, often as the lead. He enjoyed telling stories about the Gila area and wrote a short book on the history of the Cliff/Gila Schools. Vern was always keen to swap stories over coffee with his many friends. Vern was a talented artist and painted many landscapes of New Mexico to share with family and friends. Visitors to his home were often treated to his specialty Dutch oven biscuits. Vern always loved his dogs and was the first to bring the Heeler into Grant County. Vernon was an avid horseman and was the quintessential cowboy to all who knew him.
Vernon is survived by his loving wife Daneen McMillen Shelley; daughter Elizabeth
(Jim) Ginn, grandsons Lance (Hannah) and Travis (Kasey); stepson Mark (Lynda) Lutkin, grandchildren Sarri Lutkin, Jaryn (Susan) Lutkin, great-granddaughters Eleanor and Annika Lutkin; stepdaughter Shannon Mensinger, grandchildren Sheena and Simon Mensinger; stepson Sean Lutkin; brother Robert H. Shelley and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
A Memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation will take place at Terrazas Crematory. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.
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