JOE ZEMBA
La Junta Tribune-Democrat

William “Bill” Tanner knew from the moment that he first saw his future wife, Betty, that she was the one.

“I was in the first grade at Columbian Elementary School when Betty and her family moved to town; they lived out in the country,” recalled Tanner as he retold the story Wednesday afternoon at the Gobin Building in Rocky Ford as part of the Silver King and Queen competition. “I saw Betty on the playground. When I saw her, I said, ‘That’s my girl. I’m going for her.’

“We were in the first grade. She was on one side of the merry-go-round and I was on the other,” he said. “She ran away from me, so I followed and chased her around the merry-go-round. I followed from then on. I chased her for 17 years until he said ‘yes’,” he laughed.

“Once when Betty was asked what she thought of ‘this boy’ chasing her. She said, ‘I ran as fast as I could around the merry-go-round. I didn’t want him to catch me,” recalled Tanner.

“We would have been married for 69 years this month,” he said as tears began to well in his eyes. “She passed away in June.”

Among the other male contestants vying for the same crown, including participants from Crowley County Nursing Center in Ordway and Pioneer Healthcare Center in Rocky Ford, both of whom displayed artwork, it was Tanner’s recollection of he and Betty’s love story that propelled the Bent County Healthcare Center resident to Silver royalty.

An Air Force veteran, Tanner recalled his youth further, saying “I grew up in a great home. I am the oldest of four boys and my parents were strict. We didn’t do anything that was bad because my parents got involved in what we were doing. They made sure we did what was right.”

Tanner recounted, “When I was younger, I worked in the fields. I topped onions, picked chile and corn. I drove a truck, before I was old enough to drive a truck, while the women picked the corn and threw it in the back. While picking tomatoes, when the women would bend over to pick a tomato, my friends and I would hit them with a tomato in the rear end,” he laughed. “Because I was young, the women working the fields took responsibility for me so I could have a job.”

Tanner worked his adult life as a Federal Mine Inspector and Supervisor and is father to four children, one girl and three boys. He has nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great grandchildren.

Tanner’s words of advice to young children is, “Go to school. Learn anything you can. When you go to work, learn how the job works and train. Watch yourself so you don’t get hurt or killed.”

In conclusion, Tanner shared with judges that he has been to every state in the United States. “Whether it was for vacation or work, the places I have been to, the things I’ve seen, and the people I have met have all been different and unique. I have enjoyed and learned a lot from it.”

Crowley County Nursing Center’s George Morgan took home Silver King runner-up honors. Morgan, who is legally blind, displayed pictures and stained glass artwork Wednesday afternoon.

Stacy Holms, representing Pioneer Healthcare Center, who is also legally blind, shared paintings with judges.

Ninety-three year old Frances Lopez, a lifelong Rocky Ford resident representing Cottonwood Ridge in Rocky Ford, wrote and shared her life story with judges, and like Tanner, won over the hearts of the masses, thus becoming the 2024 Arkansas Valley Silver Queen to the applause of a large support group in attendance.

“I went to school at Park School (La Junta) until sixth grade then I went to work in the fields topping onions and picking tomatoes,” she said. “It was there that I met my husband, Louie Lopez. I was 14 and he was 15. He was his dad’s water boy. We got engaged when I turned 18 and had eight children.”

Lopez worked her adult life as a Teacher Aide at Child Development Services and served as a foster parent. She has entered a project in the Arkansas Valley Fair every year since 1962, having won many ribbons.

Lopez says she enjoys crafts, attending church, playing BINGO, gardening, going for walks, dancing, listening to Mexican music, and attending all local fairs.

Lopez’ words of advice to young children is, “Stay in school and get your education to get a good job. Live every day like it’s your last. Take nothing for granted.”

Pioneer’s Mary Saenz was Silver Queen runner-up, as she put a smile on the faces of all in attendance with a foot tapping dance performance to “Boot, Scott ‘n Boogie”, which she danced with her partner, Pioneer Healthcare Center Activity Director Kathleen Brum.

“Be careful, stay still, but always dance!” said Saenz of her life motto.

Other participants vying for Silver Queen were Bent County’s Sue Alleshunas and Crowley County’s Delpha Melton.

Tanner and Lopez took part in the annual Arkansas Valley Fair Parade Friday morning.