William Rex Black passed into eternal life Friday at Fort Bayard Medical Center. He was born in Alpine, Texas, on Feb. 20, 1906, to William Charles Black and Maude Adams Black. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alma Upchurch Black, and his son, Sonny Black. He is survived by his two daughters, Della Faye Nichols, and Rexine Sullins and her husband, Curtis, and his son-in-law, Walt Nichols. His grandchildren are Rex Nichols, Alma Faye Wilson, Kirby Arnold, Tom Bill Black, Deona Arnold, Shannon Brdecko and Dyke Sullins. He had 18 great-grandchildren, four great great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Black lived his early years in Texas, where he eventually ended up working for Safeway stores. He was transferred to Deming in 1939 to open the first Safeway store in Deming. He and his family lived in Deming until 1947 when they moved to Silver City. Mr. Black spent the rest of his life in the Grant County area. He also worked as a meat cutter and for International Harvester at Burchfield Motors, where he distributed farm equipment in the surrounding area. His first love was always mules and horses. He was a mule and horse trader, and at one time drove a horse-driven de1ivery wagon for Price's Dairy. Mr. Black also built wagons and loved to build and repair pack and wagon harnesses and rigging. He made wagon trips around the country until he was 87 years old. Pallbearers will be Kirby Arnold, Crispen Arnold, Quinton Bass, Rex Nichols, Tom Bill Black, Kevin McCauley, Dyke Sullins and Aaron Hubbard. Honorary pallbearers will be a host of many friends from the Southwest. Services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Baca's Funeral Chapels in Silver City. Viewing will be from 11:30 a.m. to the time of the services. Burial will be at Pinos Altos Cemetery.