Stetson Edmunds

Stetson “Will” Edmunds passed away from this vale of tears on October 14, 2017. He was born in Springerville, AZ on April 9, 1965 to Stetson C. and Patsy Edmunds. He spent his childhood in Holbrook, AZ and Grants, NM where his father was a U.S. Forest Service Ranger, as well as summers with his mother’s family in Tierra Blanca near Taos, NM. Will, as his family called him, developed a deep love and respect for the majestic beauty surrounding him. His father, Stetson, an expert rifleman and hunter would take Will and trailer horses to the mountains on hunting excursions. This led to Will’s expertise in marksmanship and horsemanship. After graduating from high school in Sheridan, WY, Will attended UNM in Albuquerque before joining the U.S. Marine Corps and being stationed around the world. He was a decorated combat NCO in Desert Storm and completed his tours of duty in North Carolina with an honorable discharge. In the following years Will pursued his love of music as a drummer, songwriter, and vocalist. His creative talents were also addressed in silversmithing, abstract impressionist oil painting, and carving wood and stone under the tutelage of Ralph Suazo of Taos Pueblo. A man of many talents, Will acquired a Commercial Drivers License and drove concrete trucks for Taos Gravel Products, owned by Joey Perovich, a longtime family friend. Stetson is preceded in death by his parents, Stetson C. and Patsy Selph Edmunds, paternal grandparents, Stetson C. and Katharine Edmunds, Rutland, VT, maternal grandparents Hardy and Kristine Selph, Aunt Iris Selph Foster, infant elder sister, Paris, teacher and dear friend, Ralph Suazo, Taos Pueblo, and his beloved horse, Tonka May. He is survived by his beloved wife, Alice, sisters, Peggy Jean (Edmunds) and Bill Hoffman, Collinsville, IL Helena Faherty, and Yvonne Marcel, Aunts Sally (Edmunds) and Gordon Sharp, Columbia, MO and Peggy Selph Sparks, Tierra Blanca, NM, cousins Francis and Marie Selph , Albuquerque, NM, Joshua Robinson, Gayla, Joseph, and Jack Sparks, Tierra Blanca, NM, and loyal canine companions, Osha and Hilda. A procession from Rivera Funeral Home in Taos took place on Monday, October 30, 2017 at 12:15 to travel to Santa Fe National Cemetery for graveside services at 2:15. A celebration of Will’s life took place on Monday, October 30, 2017 at 5 PM at the Alley Cantina. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his spouse for distribution to Disabled American Veteran charities.