James Roy Washam

James Roy Washam, age 93 of Hamilton, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2015 at 10:05 p.m. at Westover Retirement Community under the care of Crossroads Hospice. He was born June 25, 1921 in Springfield, MO, the son of Chester and Alice (Turner) Washam. He was a 1940 graduate of Marionville High School. He served in the United States Army during WWII from 1940-1945, with the 203rd Missouri National Guard Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Rank-Tech 4; and with the 83rd Army Ground Forces Band in TX, CA and the Aleutian Islands in AK. After the war, he attended William Jewell College, Liberty, MO, graduating in 1948, receiving his BS. On September 2, 1955, he married Ruth Eshbaugh. He was employed by Crum and Forster in IL for 12 yrs. and the Ohio Casualty Insurance Group in OH for 26 yrs. Throughout his life, he enjoyed playing the clarinet and saxophone in his high school, college and Army bands, as well as during special church services and with his grandchildren in the “Washam Band.” Hobbies included camping and gardening. Memberships included The Presbyterian Church of Hamilton, Kiwanis Club of Lindenwald, the VFW, Choice in Dying and Hemlock Society. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; four children: Barbara (Todd) Keith, Nancy (Kevin) Steuart, John (Lisa) Washam and Becki (Jim) Eichhold; twelve grandchildren: Melissa Eichhold, Michelle (Zach) Baker, Emily (Dave) Switzer, Sarah (Andrew) Coots, Benjamin (fiancé Chelsey Grove) Eichhold, Lucy (Austin) Hayes, Lauren and Heather Keith, Andrew Eichhold and Jedidiah, Eliana and Nathan Washam; three great-grandchildren: Jack and Charlie Baker and William Coots; plus baby Switzer due in October. Visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2015 at Westover, 855 Stahlheber Road, with a Memorial Service following at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. William F. Jones officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Kiwanis Club of Lindenwald, P.O. Box 13082, Hamilton, OH 45013 or to Colonial for Westover, 230 Ludlow Street, Hamilton, OH 45011.