Bernice Boone

GILLETTE -- Bernice Hamblin Boone, 92, died on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013 at home in Gillette. She was born to William Clark Hamblin and Bernice McWilliams Hamblin in Reliance, on Oct. 18, 1921. She was the third of nine girls. She attended Reliance Schools and graduated from Reliance High School in 1940. She married Darrell G. Walker in Rock Springs that same year. They had four children and later divorced. She married Richard C. Boone in 1965 in Rock Springs. Besides Reliance and Rock Springs, Mrs. Boone lived in many places over the years including California, Texas and Utah, but her home was always Wyoming. Proud of her Wyoming heritage, Boone favored Bridger Valley and she and Darrell lived on the Church farm in Bridger Valley with their young family. Most recently she resided in Gillette. She was always active and worked many jobs. One of the most memorable was during World War II when she worked for the coal mines and railroad in Reliance. She and her sister, June Floyd, were the first women in Wyoming inducted into the United Mine Workers Union and were recommended by their father. She was a telephone switchboard operator in Lyman during the time when an operator connected the caller to the party. In addition, she was a waitress in Rock Springs for many years and also worked as an aide in a nursing home. Mrs. Boone was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was a genealogical indexer for many years. A member of Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and also a member of the Rosie the Riveter Association. She was a dedicated bowler who continued to bowl into her eighties and was a member of the 200 club. Besides genealogy her other interests included water aerobics, crafts, needlework, gardening, reading and dancing. Survivors include her youngest sister, Addie Lee Weeks (William) of Star Valley; son, Wesley G. Walker and wife Marie Zupence of Lyman; daughters, Denice K. Varley and husband Douglas of Gillette, and Dovee Jo Walker-Maughan, also of Wyoming; 11 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great grandchildren. Mrs. Boone was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard C. Boone; sisters, Elda Hamblin, Vella Ruth Gunyan, Norma Rae Kumer, June Floyd, Viola Renee Weatherington, Marjorie Manning and Carol Ann Maldonado; son, Merrell D. Walker; grandson, Levi Phillips; great-great granddaughters, Crystal and Faith Munk; and several nephews and nieces. A viewing will take place at the L.D.S. Stake Center, 120 Shoshoni Avenue, Green River, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, 2013. A viewing for Mrs. Boone will be conducted from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013 with services to follow at the L.D.S. Church, 127 North Main Street in Lyman. Officiating will be Bishop Bryce Christensen of the Lyman First Ward and interment will follow at the Lyman Cemetery. Casket bearers are grandsons: Merrill Walker, Sean Walker, Clark Melinkovich, Matthew Melinkovich, Clayton Melinkovich and Quinton Phillips.