E. Bonham

Wayne Bonham, 86 of Federal Wyoming passed away on January 8, 2011 at the Davis Hospice in Cheyenne Wyoming. He was born in Sterling Colorado on April 4, 1924 to Jennie and Earl Bonham. Wayne grew up on his family’s ranch west of Sterling in the Willard community. His life was formed with hard work at an early age and a reverent respect for family, nature, work horses, milk cows, wind and dust. Graduating from high school in Sterling, Wayne excelled at his school work, basketball and good natured fun. He was a veteran of WW II serving in the Navy in the Pacific Theater. After discharge from the Navy he began a life of working on horse and cattle ranches in Colorado eventually landing a job on the Rock Ranch near Padroni Colorado, where he met his bride, Frances (Biddy) Peavy. Wayne and Biddy were married on March 25, 1951 and ran their own ranch in the West Plains area of northeastern Colorado. The young Bonham couple spent their time raising foundation Quarter Horses, commercial Hereford cattle, and a family. Wayne honed his horse training skills along with becoming an avid and successful calf roper. With great enjoyment they supplied their children with good horses and wide open spaces to grow. Time came when they needed to move to a larger ranch, so in 1961 Wayne and Biddy bought a ranch northwest of Cheyenne in the Federal /Horse Creek/ Iron Mountain area. They thrived in their new community. Good neighbors soon became great friends. Wayne treasured these friendships throughout all his days. Wayne belonged to many organizations. He was a Gold Card member of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, a member of the American Quarter Horse Association as well as being an AQHA horse show judge. He belonged to the Elks Club, Wyoming Stock Growers, Wyoming Farm Bureau, the Pole Mountain Cattlemen’s Association and a member of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Heels Club. Wayne was a longtime 4-H Leader in Laramie County and was active as a High School Rodeo Coach in Cheyenne. Wayne was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Biddy; his parents, Jennie and Earl; his sisters, Bonnie Price and Dorothy Bonham; a daughter Wynn Jane and a grandson Grady. He was survived by a brother, Darrel Bonham; children, Bill and Vickie, Jennie Mai, Peavy and Jennifer, and Marc and Dana; grandchildren, Tori, Hayli and Rio. So many good friends are all considered honorary pall bearers. Memorial services will be held at Schrader’s Funeral Home in Cheyenne on Friday, January 14, 2011 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Wayne Bonham’s name to the Frances P. Bonham and Marshall C. Peavy Memorial Scholarship Fund at the American Quarter Horse Foundation, PO Box 3211, Amarillo TX 72910. On-line condolences may be made at www.schraderfuneral.com.