“D.C.” Donal Clifford Ware, 85, a longtime resident of Ray, died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in a Williston nursing home. Don was born Jan. 29, 1928, in Camden-on-Gauley, W.V., the son of Clifford and Minnie Thelma (Snider) Ware. In his young life, he worked in the coal mines and in the saw mill in West Virginia. He was drafted into the Army and served in Korea during the Korean conflict. He was honorably discharged in September 1952. On Oct. 24, 1953, Don married Viola Ann Hoeschen at Sacred Heart Church in Freeport, Minn. They moved to Ray, where they raised four beautiful children. Don worked in the oil fields and drove trucks for Northern Tank Lines and then started a post and pole company, which he operated until his retirement. He was known to many, all over western ND and eastern Montana as the “Christmas Tree guy.” For most of his working days, he ran a Christmas tree stand at the Family Thrift Center in Williston. Don also raised quarter horses and was a life-long member of the American Quarter Horse Association. He is survived by his loving wife, Viola; his four children, Cynthia Ann (Tom) Sailer, Washburn, Jeffrey Alan Ware (Jay Jansen), Fargo, Bruce Gregory (Amy) Ware, Ashley, and Karla Jean Ware, Kettle Falls, Wash.; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers, James (Diane) Ware, Pine City, Minn., Shelly Ware, Casper, Wyo., and Claude (Doris) Ware, Douglas, Wyo. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Minnie Thelma; sisters, Jenny, Wanda and Shirley; and sister-in-law, Mary “Tootsie.” Don’s funeral service is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at St. Michael Catholic Church, Ray. Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, followed by a Rosary prayer service, both in the church. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Ray. Online condolences may be shared at www.springanfuneralhome.com

Source:  Williston Daily Herald (ND) – Wednesday, February 6, 2013