W. A. "Bill" Ames, 77, of Dumas, died Saturday, April 4, 2009, in Dumas. Memorial services will be held Monday, April 6, 2009, at 10:30 AM in Morrison Memorial Chapel with Deacon Jim Clements of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church officiating.

Bill was born November 2, 1931, on the family ranch in Moorcroft, WY, to William Aaron and Hazel Pearl Huckins Ames. On October 29, 1950, he married Phyllis Thomas in Gillette, WY. In June of 1965, they moved to Dumas where Bill worked for American Zinc until its closing. He then worked at Swift from 1977 until 1992 when he retired. Bill was also a custom hay hauler and worked for 13 years for Garst Seed Co. Most recently he had worked in security for Black Hawk Security. Bill loved gardening and cooking for his family and sharing the extras from his garden with everyone. He was very active with the Farmers Market. He was a voracious reader and a frequent visitor to the library. Another love of Bill's was traveling and going to the mountains. Bill enjoyed his grandkids and enjoyed entertaining the children Phyllis babysat in their home.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Betty Swaim and Ruth Reynolds and one brother, Don Ames.

Survivors include: his wife, Phyllis, of the home; three sons, Tom Ames and wife, Martha, Robert Ames and wife, Cindy all of Dumas and Mark Ames and wife, Barbara of Las Vegas, NV; three daughters, Lucy Johnson and husband, Loyd of Hartley, Nikki McDonald and husband, Mike of Dumas and Kay Jones of Phoenix, AZ; one brother, Ken Ames of Spearfish, SD; seven sisters, Lynda Shedd of Amarillo, Mary Shepperson of Beulah, SD, Alice Strong of Upton, WY, Elsie Tschetter of Sundance, WY, Lois Russell of Phoenix, AZ, Irene Buckmiller of Moorcroft, WY and Jane Dowdy of Spearfish, SD; thirteen grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to Memorial Hospice, 224 E 2nd St., Dumas, TX 79029.