LYLE E. NAILL, 81, of Fort Morgan, died early Monday morning, February 2, 2009 at his home with his family at his side. He suffered a brief illness with lung cancer. Lyle was born on June 9, 1927 to Samuel & Nellie (Bates) Naill in Wiggins, CO. He was raised and attended school there. He was drafted into the Army on his 18th birthday— the last draft of WWII in Morgan County. Lyle was stationed in Japan with the 8th Army, 58th antiaircraft artillery as elevation tracker on radar set. He was honorably discharged in September of 1947. Sixty years ago Lyle met Elsie Brandt. They married at the Christ Congregational Church in Fort Morgan on June 26, 1949. Lyle spent 35 years in the oilfields as a roughneck, driller, tool pusher, and consultant. He worked with interesting people who became his good friends and he valued the learning experiences of his job. His last job was in Craig, CO in April of 1982. Lyle had always hoped to ranch in "retirement". He enjoyed all livestock. In May of 1983 he was able to purchase the Murphy Ranch in the Hoyt area where he raised horses, longhorn cattle, sheep, goats, puppies, and chickens. Lyle had lots of fun on the ranch. It became the family project and a wonderful gathering place for everyone. It was a pleasant life— the livestock, the outdoor freedom, and the Hoyt neighborhood. Lyle especially loved horses. He was a charter member of the Morgan Saddle Club which was established in the summer of 1949. He is still a member today is also a member of the AQHA, APHA, and the Jockey Club. Lyle is survived by his wife Elsie of Fort Morgan; his son, Gary of Sterling; two daughters, Lynell and her husband Howard Lebsock of Fort Collins, and Lori and her husband Dennis Elliott of Tulsa, OK; 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Hazel Knutzen; and five brothers, Herbert, Gaylord, Melvin, Doyle, and Don. Services will be at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 6, 2009 at the Heer & Dahl Mortuary Chapel in Fort Morgan. Lyle will be carried by horse drawn hearse from the chapel to Riverside Cemetery in Fort Morgan where he will be laid to rest in the family plot next to his brothers. Military Honors will be conducted the the V.F.W. Post 2551. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Northern Colorado in care of the Heer & Dahl Mortuary, 225 E. Platte Ave., Fort Morgan, CO 80701.