A memorial service for Bobby Joe Ware, 72, of 682 West End Ave., will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home. Burial will be at the family’s convenience. Mr. Ware died Monday evening at his home, where he was under the care of his family and Hospice of Jefferson County. Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. He was employed at the former St. Regis Paper Co., Deferiet, and Champion International for 42 years. He was an oiler and machine tender, retiring in 1996. Born April 26, 1936, in Enid, Miss., son of Joe and Nona Bell Shankle Ware, he attended school in Enid. He married Kathy S. Plumadore on Sept. 25, 1993, in Carthage. A previous marriage, to Helena House, ended in divorce. Mr. Ware served in the Army during the Korean War from Feb. 4, 1954, to Feb. 1, 1957. He was a member of Carlowden Country Club, Denmark, Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 1762 and William C. Dexter American Legion Post 673, Black River, and an exempt member of the West Carthage Volunteer Fire Department and Hornets Drill Team. He enjoyed hunting and bowling, most recently with Carthage Seniors Bowling League. He received an enthusiast award from the Carthage Wrestling Alumni Association in 2008 for his support of Carthage wrestling. Surviving Mr. Ware besides his wife are two daughters and their husbands, Bobbie J. and Stephen Nafziger and Margaret A. and Robert Brown, all of Greenville, S.C.; a stepson, Robert C. LaVancha, Carthage; a sister, Marcia Dougherty, Batesville, Miss.; six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A daughter, Joann McLane, two brothers, Marvin and J.T., and a sister, Aleen Patton, died before him. Donations may be made to Hospice Foundation of Jefferson County, 425 Washington St., Watertown, N.Y. 13601 or American Cancer Society, 6725 Lyons St., P.O. Box 7, East Syracuse, N.Y. 13057.

Source:  Watertown Daily Times (NY) – Wednesday, December 17, 2008