Lifelong Sheridan County resident, Nellie Jane (Williams) Newcomer died Wednesday, July 6 with her family at her side.

Nellie was born April 17, 1920 in Sheridan, Wyoming to William and Hazel (Kendall) Williams. She was raised on the Williams family ranch on Pompey Creek near Banner, Wyoming originally owned by her grandparents, S.B. and Irene (Hensinger) Williams.

With a horse for transportation, Nellie and her siblings attended the Banner School located near the Banner Store. During her high school years she boarded with the Faddis family and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1939.

On Easter Sunday, March 24, 1940 Nellie married Ralph E. Newcomer, thus uniting two pioneer families of the Banner community. In 1943 Ralph and Nellie purchased the original homestead of Ralph’s grandfather, Fredrick Newcomer, on Prairie Dog Creek. Here they raised their three daughters and operated a dairy until 1967 when they moved into Sheridan. After moving to Sheridan, Nellie worked for Angionette’s clothing store as a seamstress until her retirement in 1980.

In March of 2011 Ralph and Nellie celebrated 71 years of marriage.

Nellie was an accomplished seamstress, sewing and tailoring garments for herself and her daughters, including their wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses. Her needlework talents also included knitting, crochet, embroidery, and quilting. She was always ready to take on a new craft and master it. Produce from her large vegetable garden and apple orchard provided a good supply of food through the winter. She was an excellent cook, with every meal a treat for her family.

Above all else, Nellie was devoted to her family working as an equal partner with her husband, and teaching her children the values and skills they could carry through life.

The Banner and Sheridan communities were also an important part of her life. Raising children led her to the 4-H clubs where she spent many years teaching young people to sew and cook. She took an active role in, and served as Guardian for Job’s Daughters Bethel #5 while her daughters were members. Throughout her life Nellie was an active participant and leader in many organizations including: Banner Community Club, Red Butte School Board, Woodland Park School Board, Farm Bureau Board, Hospital Auxiliary Board, a charter member of BPO Does, Cowbelles, Sheridan Women’s Club, Wyoming Easter Seals Board, Beauceant, Daughters of the Nile, and PEO Chapter B. She was a member of First Congregational Church where she sang in the choir and served on various boards.

Nellie was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Richard and Harry Williams.

She is survived by her husband, Ralph, of Sheridan; daughters: Sandra Solberg (Jerry) of Martinsdale, MT, Elva Carroll (Pete), and Linda Morris of Sheridan; grandchildren: Travis Morris (Brenda), Geoffrey Solberg (Brenda), Bret Carroll (Betsy), Boyd Carroll, Stacy Carroll Coonfield (Josh), and Spencer Morris; great-grandchildren: Gavyn and Rylee Solberg, Thomas Morris, Emmy and Milla Carroll.

Cremation has taken place. A gathering of family and friends to share memories and celebrate Nellie’s life is planned for Monday, July 18 at 2:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at First Congregational Church.

Memorials to honor Nellie may be made to the First Congregational Church at 100 W. Works St., Sheridan, WY 82801.

Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com.

The Sheridan Press - July 14, 2011.