Ronald Gibson Heward, 68, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather peacefully slipped through the veil to return to his Heavenly Father, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, on February 23, 2016, at his home in St. George, Utah, with his family by his side. Ron was born September 6, 1947 in Laramie, Wyoming to John and Berlina (Christensen) Heward. Ron graduated from Medicine Bow High School in 1966, and then attended Casper College for two years. He married Linda Tilley on December 19, 1967 and was sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, March 21, 1969. After completing college he and Linda moved to Shirley Basin to manage the families 7E Ranch, for his great uncle Mark, which was homesteaded in 1909. He has continued to operate the cattle and sheep ranch. He and Linda raised six children on the ranch, Kelly of Spanish Fork, Utah, Kimberly (Tom) Haygood, Green River, Wyoming, Todd (Malea Godfrey) Shirley Basin, Wyoming, Chad (Martha Chynoweth) Casper, Wyoming, Lindsay (Kyle) McCain Flagstaff, Arizona, and Robin Spanish Fork, Utah. His children and grandchildren brought great joy to his life. He loved them all very much and loved when they came home. Ron was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings including Shirley Basin Branch President for 14 years, in High Priests, youth Sunday School, and Sunday Service for Shepard of the Valley Nursing Home. Home teaching was one of his favorite callings. Ron never missed the opportunity to do his home teaching. He loved doing family history and Temple work. He spent his life visiting and checking on the welfare of others. Some of Ron's Accomplishments and interests include: -Attending the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Valley Forge -Member of student council for 6 years -Photographer for school annual -Attended American Legion Boys State -Received the Environmental Stewardship and Leopold Award -Member of the local Sage Grouse working group - Served on the Wildlife and Heritage Conservation Council -Game and Fish Landowner of the Year -Appointed by the President of the United States to serve on Hunting and Fishing Heritage Committee (which allowed him the opportunity to go bowling in the White House) -Loved to visit with antelope hunters who came to the ranch -Served as an ordinance worker in the Denver Colorado LDS Temple -Loved being at Disneyland and riding Grizzly Rapids -Loved photography -Irrigating in the spring -And Black Licorice He was preceded in death by his father, John Heward, father-in-law Mack Tilley, mother-in-law Hazel (Huffman) Tilley, brother-in-law Larry Tilley, and 5 grandchildren. Ron is survived by his wife of 48 years and his six children, spouses, 16 grandchildren (Jennifer, Jacob, Timothy, Logan, Caroline, Sarah, Bethany, Hyrum, Samuel, Mark, Robert, Chloe, Kendall, Ashton, Karsten and Jackson), his mother Berlina, sister Sharry (George) Robinson, brother Robert (Sharon), brother-in-law Cherie (Kathleen) Tilley, sister-in-law Carol Tilley, brother-in-law Terry (Lori) Tilley, sister-in-law Diane Barnson, sister-in-law Nancy (Keith) Jones. Also many nieces and nephews, many who have commented that Uncle Ronnie was their favorite Uncle. Viewings for Ron will be held Friday March 4th from 6-8 pm at Bustard's Funeral Home 600 CY Ave, Casper, WY 82601, and Saturday, March 5th from 9-10:30 am at the LDS Church, 3931 West 45th Street, Casper WY, 82604. The Funeral Service will begin at 11 am at the same location. Ron will be buried at the Heward Family Cemetery on the 7E Ranch, Shirley Basin, Wyoming. In Lieu of flowers the family would like donations made to the Medicine Bow Conservation District, PO Box 6, Medicine Bow WY 82329.
Service
Saturday, March 5, 2016 11:00am
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
3931 West 45th Street
Casper, WY 82604
Visitation
Friday, March 4, 2016 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Bustard's Funeral Directors and Crematory
600 C.Y. Avenue
Casper, WY 82601
Visitation
Saturday, March 5, 2016 9:00am - 10:30pm
Bustard's Funeral Directors and Crematory
600 C.Y. Avenue
Casper, WY 82601