Betty Lyons

Betty Lyons died June 25, 2012, at the age of 82.

Mrs. Lyons was a resident of North Fork for 40 years.

She was born March 25, 1930 in San Rafael.

Mrs. Lyons worked as coordinator for the Madera County Senior Nutrition Program.

She was preceded in death by brother Leland Ahern; sons Steve Lyons and Richard Lawerence Graham.

Mrs. Lyons is survived by husband Edward Lyons; daughters Mary Barber, Diane Graham and husband Stan Yamane, Cecilia Graham Widby and husband Mike Widby, and Cathy Lyons; grandchildren Meghan Barber, Justine Shoemaker and husband Walter, Frank Leppanen, and Molly Zysman and husband Jason; great-grandchildren Justin and Michaela Zysman and Brennan Shoemaker and Lauren Sedona Shoemaker.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. July 6 at Grace Community Church, 56446 North Fork Road (200), North Fork.

Neil Wayne Whitson

Neil Wayne Whitson died June 30, 2012, at the age 58.

Mr. Whitson was a resident of Bass Lake for 12 years.

He was born Dec. 28, 1953 in Bakersfield to Stan and Wanda Whitson.

Mr. Whitson graduated from Arizona Technical Institute with a degree in air conditioning, heating and refrigeration.

He ran his own business, Whitson Refrigeration, for five years in Lancaster and 20 years in Bakersfield.

Mr. Whitson enjoyed water skiing, boating and fishing in Bass Lake.

He was a member of Little Church in the Pines in Bass Lake.

Mr. Whitson was preceded in death by sister Cathryn Whitson Stewart; grandparents Ralph and Myrtle Whitson, and Elmer and Mildred Green.

He is survived by parents Stan and Wanda Whitson; daughter Elizabeth Whitson Ranalli and husband Matthew; sons Jeffrey and Jacob Whitson; ex-wife Jill Whitson Williams; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 9 at Little Church in the Pines, 39446 Road 434, Bass Lake, followed by lunch.

Remembrances may be made to AseraCare Hospice or to the Little Church in the Pines.

William George Wilson

William George Wilson died June 30, 2012, at the age of 77.

Mr. Wilson was a resident of Raymond for more than 60 years.

He was born March 27, 1935 in Nipinnawasee.

Mr. Wilson worked in Yosemite Valley, the Scott's Mill, and worked 36 years as a stone sawyer for the Raymond Granite Company.

He served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed on the U.S. Midway for four years and set type for the Navy newspaper.

In his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his family and working on the Circle N Ranch.

Mr. Wilson was an American Indian from the Miwok, Mono and Chukchansi tribes.

He was preceded in death by parents Alfred Wilson and Marge Balton Wilson; and brothers Alfred and Wayne Wilson.

Mr. Wilson is survived by wife of 52 years, Eleanor Wilson; sons William "Bill" George Wilson II and John E. Wilson; grandchildren William George Wilson III and Christal; four great-grandchildren; brothers Gary and Gail Miller; sister Alfreda Windsor; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. There will be a private interment.