Ward Lee McBee

Jan. 9, 1939 - Feb. 4, 2010

MESA, Ariz. -- Ward Lee McBee passed away suddenly on Thursday (Feb. 4, 2010) in Mesa, Ariz., at the age of 71. He suffered a massive stroke and hung on until his family gathered to say their good-byes.

Ward was born on a farm outside Culbertson on Jan. 9, 1939, to Frank and Lucile (Ball) McBee.

He was married to Lois Hansen on March 20, 1959 and they spent their life together farming north of Culbertson. After retiring in 1994, they moved to Apache Junction, Ariz.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 2008; his parents; infant son Daniel Lee and sister-in-law Jan McBee.

He is survived by daughter, Julie Bennett and husband, Todd of Grand Island; daughter Barbara Carbone of Phoenix, Ariz; daughter Sharon Holst and husband, Chad of McDonough, Ga., and daughter Kaylene York and husband, Brian of Hereford, Ariz. He loved to brag about his five grandchildren, Makenzie and Makayla Bennett, Justine and Jordan Skyler, and Jacob Holst. His siblings, brother Steve and wife Karron of Kearney, sister Doris Smith and husband Leo of Tucson, Ariz., and brother Tom of Trenton, also survive him.

Ward is better known in Culbertson as "Tweety" to many friends. He served as a Culbertson School board member for many years and enjoyed being downs man at many home football games. He was an avid hunter, Country Western dancer and pool player. He loved reading non-fiction and researching new topics of interest.

Memorial services will be Saturday, March 6, 1 p.m., at United Methodist Church in Culbertson. Burial to follow at Culbertson Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be sent to the Culbertson Public Library in his memory. Friends may sign the guestbook at Herrmann Funeral Home.

Herrmann Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.