Coyne “Sonny” Tibbets, 73, of Sheridan died Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service is 1 p.m. Saturday at Kane Funeral Home.

Born Nov. 1, 1936, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital to Coyne C. Tibbets and Marie P. (Anderson) Tibbets, he lived with his family on a ranch north of Leiter, where he attended country schools. He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1954.

He married Margaret Leland in August 1955.

They lived at the family ranch for nearly three years, worked briefly on a ranch south of Buffalo, then moved to a ranch south of Gillette, where he worked as a ranch hand until April 1962. The couple purchased a ranch in Leiter, which was operated in conjunction with his parents’ property.

They divorced in 1991.

Mr. Tibbets was active on the Cadiz School Board at Leiter and later the combined board of Arvada, Leiter and Clearmont. He served 24 years as board member, including several terms as chairman. He was involved in the planning and building of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services school in Gillette.

He also served on the ditch board for the Clear Creek valley and helped form the Cadiz Corp. to secure water for the state of Wyoming.

He wrote regular editorials in the Country Journal and the “Willie and Sunshine” column for The Sheridan Press.

A big-game hunter, he guided out-of-state hunters at the family ranch and in the Big Horn Mountains for many years.

In 1992 he moved to Sheridan and studied to become a real estate agent. He worked for ABC Realty and Purcell Land Co., eventually establishing Sunshine Realty specializing in rural properties. He was a member of the Realtors Association, serving as president for a year.

He enjoyed writing, reading (particularly books by Louis L’Amour), and playing the guitar.

Survivors include six children: Coyne E. “Butch” of Orlando, Fla., Diane Campbell, Susan Rochelle and Michael, all of Sheridan, Elizabeth “Beth” Welsh of Redlands, Calif., and David; eight grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren.

Memorials may benefit a fund in his name at First Interstate Bank, 4 S. Main St., Sheridan, WY 82801.

The Sheridan Press - January 13, 2010.