W.A. HAM

BLOOMFIELD -- W.A. "Bill" Ham, 68, of Bloomfield died Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997, at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff.

He was born March 1, 1929, in Fifty Six, Ark., the son of Robert and Oma Southard Ham. He lived in Arkansas until moving to Bloomfield 46 years ago. He was a retired mechanic and musician, a veteran of the U.S. Army and a life member of the American Legion in Sikeston.

He married Shirley Gwin in Piggott, Ark., on Oct. 18, 1952. She survives.

He is also survived by three daughters, Vicki Copeland of East Prairie, Nita Bedell of Van Buren and Denise Moline of Houston, Texas; a brother, Robert Ham of Alvin, Texas; three sisters, Royce Dyess of Livingston, Texas, Doris Niederstadt of Savannah, Tenn., and Evelyn Shell of Richmond, Texas; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.

Friends may call until time of service today at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter. Graveside services will be 1 p.m. today at Bloomfield Cemetery, with the Rev. Hank Foster officiating.