Leone (Doyle) Hamilton
Marriages
Bill Hamilton - April 4, 1937
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 5B - January 20, 2011
Leone Hamilton September 22, 1919 – January 17, 2011 Leone Hamilton went to be with her Lord after a short illness just 12 weeks after Bill, her loving husband of 73 years. Leone was born September 22, 1919 in Mesa, Colorado to James Doyle and Maggie (Norman-Field) Doyle. Leone grew up in the Austin/Cedaredge area. There were ten children in the family and all of the stories speak of the music and laughter that filled their home. Leone was a gifted musician and played by ear from the time she was a little girl. She attended school in Read and Cedaredge. Leone and Bill met while she was living at the Bar-I Ranch in Cedaredge (site of the present day Pioneer Town), which was leased by her father. Leone was living with her parents in Dove Creek when Bill went to marry her. They were married by the first preacher they could find, which was in Norwood, Colorado on April 4, 1937. For several years they made their home in the Eckert area where they worked on ranches. In 1941 they moved to the Meeker-Rangely area where they both worked on ranches. Leone rode alongside Bill and worked the cows on the Piceance Creek except on Wednesdays when she stayed at camp to do the baking. In 1945 they returned to Cedaredge so they could start the family she so desperately wanted and she gave birth to her son, Leslie Ray. They had a small trucking firm during this time. Their family grew with the birth of their daughter, Suzanne Kay in 1949. Leone focused on raising her family and was involved in supporting her children and those of the community by teaching Sunday School at the Methodist Church, joining with others to start and continue the Little Britches Rodeo, being a den mother for Cub Scouts, serving as mother to the Rainbow Girls, sponsoring the Cedar Team, taking cheerleaders to games, and attending sporting events and music concerts. When Les and Suzanne were grown, Bill and Leone sold Delta Sand and Gravel and bought a ranch in Gateway, Colorado. They spent seven years there making many life long friends. In 1979, wanting to be close to their kids and grandkids, they sold that ranch and moved back to Cedaredge. They built their "Lil Bit o Heaven" home, had the Uncompahgre Cattle Company, and built a cabin on Grand Mesa, all to enjoy the family they loved so much. Bill and Leone were honored by their community as Grand Marshalls of the Little Britches parade two times. She was a member of the Eastern Stars, the Cowbells, and the New Hope Evangelical Church. Leone shared beautiful music with others throughout her life, and also wrote poems for every occasion. Her poetry spoke to the heart with a rhyming beat. A collection of her poems was published in the book, "Country Livin". Leone is survived by her son, Les and his wife, Melissa of Delta; daughter, Suzanne and her husband, Bob Page of Cedaredge; three brothers-in-law, Ed (Beryle) Marah, Pat (Gwen) Marah, Mike (Bertie) Marah, all of Cedaredge, and one sister-in-law, Helen Kungel of Cedaredge. She is survived by five grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. She is preceded in death by her husband of 73 years Bill; one sister-in-law, and her nine siblings. A memorial service honoring Leone's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 21, 2011 at the Cedaredge Assembly of God. A private burial will be held prior to the memorial service at the Cedaredge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given either to Bill and Leone's great granddaughter Lella's liver transplant fund, the Lyndall Ella Young Account at Bank of Colorado, 145 West 4th Street, Delta, CO 81416, or the building fund of the New Hope Evangelical Free Church, P.O. Box 542, Cedaredge, CO 81413. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory. View the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at taylorfuneralservice.com.
