Obituary: Ralph “Chief” Thomas Widner
Ralph “Chief ” Thomas Widner, age 78, was called home to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 21, 2021 at Hamilton Hospital in Olney. Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2021, in the Chapel of Lunn Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 25, 2021 in the Chapel of Lunn Funeral Home with Father Eugene Nyong, officiating. Interment will be in Restland Cemetery under the direction of Lunn Funeral Home of Olney.
Ralph was born November 16, 1942 in Arrey, New Mexico to Thomas Charles Widner, Sr. and Libby (Tapia) Widner. He served his country proudly in the United States Army. He moved to Olney in 1967 from Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Ralph met the love of his life Santos Perez and they were married on November 25, 1967 at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church in Olney. Ralph was employed as a Department of Defense Civilian Contractor where he served as Assistant Station Manager at the U.S. Naval Space Surveillance Station at the Lake Kickapoo Site near Archer City, Texas. He enjoyed traveling many times to Washington D.C. and Dahlgren, Va. meeting with Navy Commanders insuring the “fence” was operational until his retirement in 2006. He also owned and managed Skyline apartments and had owned the Radio Shack in Olney. Ralph enjoyed many trips to visit his beloved family in New Mexico as well as working on televisions, playing the guitar and singing. Ralph was a devout Catholic where he served as a member of the Knights of Columbus and taught religious education. Ralph dedicated his life to the Lord, his wife, his family and his friends.
Ralph was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Charles Widner, Sr.; his mother, Libby Terrazas; step-father, Leon Terrazas; step-mother, Virginia Widner; daughter, Victoria Widner; two sisters, Maryann Espinoza and Veronica Green; and two grandchildren, Jagger Ralph Widner and Finley Ryker Widner.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Santos Widner of Olney; three sons, Bobby K. Widner of Olney, Michael D. Widner and wife Courtney of Wichita Falls and Christopher Widner and wife Megan of Olney; four brothers, Manuel Widner of Coryell City, Texas, Edmund Widner of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, Eddie Widner of Indio, California and Tommy Widner of Las Cruces, New Mexico; three sisters, Rebecca Trujillo, Rosie Pease and Mary Sanchez all of Las Cruces, New Mexico; ten grandchildren, Anita Marquez, Michael Reeves, Justin Michael Widner, Ashley Christine Kaye Massuda, Jordan David Widner, Jolie Widner, Jenna Widner, Christopher Widner, Lincoln Widner and Leana Widner; and eight great-grandchildren, Mia Hernandez, Xavier Ruiz, Colin Reeves, Jayden Reeves, Lilly Reeves, Peyton Reeves, Madeline Christine Massuda and Clara Christine Kaye Massuda.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lunnfuneralhome.com.