Obituary of Lonnie Preston Ham

Lonnie Preston Ham, 88, of Columbia passed away February 21, 2015. Born on February 7, 1927 in Pernal, Oklahoma, he was one of five children born to the late Zephy Morgan Ham and Susan Brown Ham. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Billie Jean Drake Ham; two sons, David Wayne Ham, of Columbia and Ronnie Lee Ham (Sylvia) of Pawley's Island; two grandchildren, Summer Ham of Clemson, SC and Matthew Ham of Charlotte, NC; and one brother, Eldon Ham of Lawton, Oklahoma. He was awarded a Purple Heart in WWII while serving in the Navy in the Pacific. He also served in the Army Air Corp and retired from the Army in 1966. He also retired from Civil Service at Fort Jackson. He was an avid outdoorsman and continued to hunt up until the age of 87. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., in Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., on the day of the service at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209.