Robert Ayler Abercrombie, 71, a prominent Grant County resident and rancher died at his home in White Signal on Friday. Visitation will be held this afternoon from 3 to 5 at Baca's Funeral Chapels and the funeral service will begin at 10 Wednesday morning at the First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jesse Liles pastor officiating . Concluding services and interment will follow at Fort Bayard National Cemetery, where veterans honors will be accorded by Veterans honors will be accorded by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3337 and Allingham-Golding Post 18 of the American Legion. He was born Feb.16,1923 in Norton, N.M. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army as a member of the Tank Corps under Gen. George Patton. On Aug. 22, 1948, he married Mary Ida Prevost in Silver City. Thirty years ago, he moved to the area from Santa Fe. He was active in ranching and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Silver City and Tyrone Lodge No. 52 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He was a past master of the lodge and past patron of Tyrone Order of Eastern Star No. 41. For many years he was active with area 4-H clubs and the Future Farmers of America alumni as well as the Cliff-Gila fair serving as a board member. He had served as a member of the Grant County Council of Governments and Grant County Soil and Water Conservation Board. He was a district director of the New Mexico Conservation Association and was a commissioner of the New Mexico Soil and Water Commission. He was also past president of the New Mexico Conservation Association and the New Mexico Range Society. Survivors include his wife Mary Ida Abercrombie of the home; three daughters Donna Bussey and her husband Lloyd and Jeanne Jones and her husband Mike of White Signal and Olinell Smith and her husband Twister of Caballo; a brother Howard Abercrombie and his wife Juanita of Tucumcari; a sister Marjorie Wilson and her husband John of Lovington; five grandchildren, Tancee Bussey, Danna Stockton, Shandree and Cort Smith and Brandon Jones; a great-grandson Koye Jones; a sister in law Billye Sue Abercrombie of Roswell; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother Frank Abercrombie. Pallbearers will be Lloyd Bussey, Mike and Brandon Jones, Twister Smith, Bob Hughes and Bud Webster. Honorary bearers are remaining family members and friends. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranches or the Shriners Children's Hospital. Entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels


Military Information: CPL, US ARMY