I'll enlarge upon the Halls families this week.

Ralph Halls was born on Nov. 23, 1918, and was a son of David Halls and Emma Dean. He married Betty Zane Hatch in 1941. They had a daughter, Judy Ornelas, and a son, Conrad Ira (Coke) of Mancos (who passed away recently). Ralph was in the Navy during World War II. He worked six years for his brother, Harry, before working four years for the U. S. Forest Service. He was remembered for his sense of humor. He passed away on Dec. 7, 1978.

Leon David Halls, a son of David Halls and Emma Dean's, was born on June 18, 1903. He was an employee of the National Park Service at Mesa Verde National Park for 30 years. He married Louise Medford, and they had a daughter, Quincy Dean, and two sons, Lynn and Lyle. Leon died on Feb. 29, 1988; Louise, on Dec. 18, 1994.

George Halls was born in England on Oct. 18, 1846. He was the son of John Halls and Susanna Selstone. He was the bishop of the Mancos Ward of the LDS Church for 25 years. He also served two terms as a county commissioner. He married Mary Moselle Hammond. They adopted Dilworth Hammond.

William Halls was born in England on May 25, 1834. He came to Mancos in 1886. He married Johanna Frandsen. Much of his life was spent as a church worker in the LDS Church. He died on June 20, 1920; Johanna in 1913.

Thomas Halls was born on June 18, 1864. He came to Mancos in 1886 with his family and married Louella Hammond that year. Four sons and a daughter survived him as did his father, William Halls. He went to chop wood and was later discovered by his family on Jan. 13, 1918. Louella died in 1922.

Mary Louise Halls was born on April 10, 1901. She was a daughter of Thomas Halls. She married Earl Durham Decker in 1922 and lived the rest of her life in the old Decker residence in Webber. Their children were Donna Bardswich, Tom, Mary Jones, Helen Royle, and Jerry.

Sarah Halls was born on Nov. 21, 1881. She married William Decker in April 1912. She was the mother of Floyd, Elna and Al. She passed away on Dec. 21, 1945.

Darrel Ellis is a longtime historian of the Mancos Valley. Email him at [email protected].