Max W. " Billy" Kiehne, 88 years old, of Silver City, New Mexico passed away on Saturday July 19, 2014.
A Rosary will be recited on Saturday August 2, 2014 at 11:00 am at St. Francis Catholic Church in Middle Frisco, NM (just south of Reserve). The Funeral Mass will also be on Saturday August 2, 2014 at 1:00pm at The Catron County Fair Grounds in Reserve; burial will follow at the cemetery in Middle Frisco.
Billy was born September 16, 1925 in Reserve, New Mexico to Max Chavez Kiehne and Teresita Lopez Kiehne, delivered by a midwife, and born on the Five Bar Ranch, which had been founded in 1900 by his grandfather. He was the youngest of three brothers Emil Oliver Kiehne (wife Beverly) of El Paso, Texas, Tom Lee Kiehne (wife Ellen), who preceded him in death, of Luna, New Mexico. Billy also had a younger sister, Nellie Dora, who preceded him in death as an infant prior to 1 year of age. Billy was married to Anne Giampetro Kiehne on May 30, 1954. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and they raised five children: Zeno Kiehne of Reserve, New Mexico, Zane Kiehne (wife Tanya) of Pecos, Texas, Travis Kiehne (wife Tammy) of Magdalena, New Mexico, Clell Kiehne (Kathy Trujillo) of Lemitar, New Mexico, and Tita Kiehne Heinen (husband Bobby) of Farmington, New Mexico.
In addition to the above, Billy is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces.
Billy served in the Navy during World War II, enlisting when 17 years old, and later served on the Draft Board. He was a Catron County Commissioner, Reserve School Board member, Soil Conservation Service Board member, and was an Advisory Board Member to the US Forest Service for Grazing Permittees. Billy was raised on and later owned and operated the Five Bar Ranch, located in the mountains SE of Reserve, New Mexico. He was a mountain cowboy. Billy hunted a lot of lion and bear in New Mexico and Arizona and hunted jaguar in Mexico. Billy enjoyed training and watching good dogs work. Although he often hunted alone, he preferred to hunt with family and friends. In 2004 Billy wrote the book, "Hunters, Hounds and Horsemen". Billy roped a while and if he had any regrets it would be not having the opportunity to rope more. He opened the chute on thousands of calves and steers for nephews, sons, and friends. He enjoyed seeing a rope horse trained and appreciated a good horse. Billy liked ranching, rodeo, horses, hounds and the mountains. After retiring from ranching, Billy purchased and operated the Road Runner Mobile Home Park in Silver City, New Mexico until his death. Billy was a great friend to many. He enriched many lives with laughter, wit, and wisdom. He truly enjoyed life until the very day he died. Billy will be missed by many.
Pallbearers are: Terrell Shelly, Travis Nuckols, Barney Spurgeon, Kenny Brown, Rex Nichols, Rufus Choate, and Keith Wilkerson. Honorary Pallbearers are: Darryl Welty, Tink Burris, Alan Swenson, Mike Thomas, Jim Bob Nuckols, Andy Carrejo, Glyn Griffin, Allan Robinson, Dave Farr and Chuck Dinwiddie.
Bright/Lordsburg Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, 210 W. College Ave. Silver City, NM phone: 575-388-1911. "Traditional services and care for your family and friends". To send condolences log into www.brightfuneral.net.