William Van Ham

William Frederick Van Ham, 64, of Miles City, passed away Aug. 17, 2006, at the Holy Rosary Heath Care Center, in Miles City.

William was born Jan. 2, 1943, in Anaconda, the son of William and Martha (Knapp) Van Ham. He attended school in Whitefish, where he graduated from high school.

William enlisted in the United States Army in 1960, where he served for six years before being honorably discharged on March 31, 1966. He then went to work in the Sunshine Mines, in Osborn, Idaho. He married Mary Entzel on June 4, 1969. In 1968, in Cherry Creek, Nev., he was a logger at the time.

William was an active member in the DeMoleys as a youth and later in the Elks. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. William also enjoyed seismographing, which he did throughout the United States.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Martha.

William is survived by his wife of 37 years, Mary; their children, Lynn Rogers and husband Joe, of Bozeman, Martie Lawson and husband Gary, of Miles City, Ida Van Ham, of Miles City, Shirley Van Ham and husband Michael, of Sioux Falls, S.D., Joe Van Ham and wife Christina, of Fayetteville, N.C., Jim Van Ham, of Miles City, and Missy Van Ham, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; his brother Joe Van Ham and wife Margaret, of Houston, Texas; his sisters Bobbi Janetski and husband Mike, of Kalispell, Jean Kruder and husband Ron, of Lakeside, and Shirley Johnson and husband Dave, of Whitefish; 20 grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

Funeral services were held Aug. 22, 2006, at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home, in Miles City, with military honors provided by the VFW Post 1579. Interment will be held in Whitefish.

Flowers and gifts may be addressed to the family at 602 South Stacy, Miles City MT 59301. Condolences may be sent online to www.stevensonandsons.com.