This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Ross, Graham, Wolf, Behrmann, Uriguen Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hd.2ADI/1746 Message Board Post: Idaho State Journal & Idaho Statesman 10/25/06 PRESTON — Junior Walter Ross, age 74, died at the Franklin County Medical Center in Preston, Idaho, on October 23, 2006, from complications from diabetes and heart disease. Walt was born at the family home in Burley, Idaho, on October 9, 1932, to Clyde Willis and May Graham Ross. He had three sisters and two brothers. He attended local schools and graduated from Burley High School. Walt married Yvonne Wolf on August 27, 1950, in Burley. Walt and Yvonne had two children, Vonnie Lou and Gary Max. Yvonne passed away on October 28, 1990. Walt married Christina “Tina” Vearnell Behrmann Uriguen on April 25, 1992, in Preston, Idaho. He was later sealed to Yvonne and Tina in the Logan, Utah Temple. Walt started working at the age of 9 sweeping floors at the Herald Bulletin in Burley, and had been in the newspaper business ever since. Walt met Wayne Bell when both were working for the Burley paper. When the paper was sold, the two decided to go out on their own, and they bought the newspaper in Preston in 1962. They worked together for 34 years, and never had an argument “because of Walt.” They owned and published the Preston Citizen, the Tremonton Leader, the Grace Citizen, the News Examiner in Montpelier, and also started the Cache Valley Citizen that was later donated to Utah State University. Walt’s experiences in the business world took him to the White House several times where he had the opportunity to meet four U.S. presidents. Walt was active in city affairs, serving as a city councilman from 1972-1976, and as two-term mayor from 1988 to 1996. He had been active in the Republican Party, and had served on numerous local and state committees and boards. Walt was an active member of the LDS Church, where he served as high priest’s group leader and executive secretary to the stake president. Walt’s dream was to light the streets of Preston at Christmastime and bring joy and laughter to all. Walt and Wayne Bell were instrumental in starting the Festival of Lights tradition in Preston. Walt’s own Christmas lights display was exceptional. Walt was continually making friends wherever he went, and was always helping people. No matter the circumstances, Walt was always “wonderful,” happy and upbeat. He is survived by his wife, Tina; daughters, Vonnie Shaw (Scott, Preston), Shylo Moody (Tim, West Jordan, Utah), Ande Uriguen (Provo, Utah); daughter-in-law, Marilyn Fouche (David, Rio Del, California); brother, Wayne Ross (Karen, Panguitch, Utah); brother-in-law, Gene Hatch, (Boise, Idaho); sister-in-law, Jean Ross (Scottsdale, Ariz.); 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Yvonne, his son, Gary, and two grandsons, Jason William Shaw and Jonathan Walter Ross;, his parents and three sisters and one brother. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 28 at 11 a.m. at the North Stake Center, 310 North State, in Preston, Idaho. Friends and family may call on Friday, October 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Webb Funeral Home, 109 East Oneida, and on Saturday, October 28 at the North Stake Center, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at the Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley, Idaho. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at goodoldwalt@plmw.com.