William James Heary

    William James Heary, 86, Watertown passed away Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Hospice of Jefferson County.

   Jim was born in Niagara Falls June 22, 1938, son of James William and Miriam (Anderson) Heary. He graduated from Deveaux High School, Niagara Falls, did his undergraduate work at St. Lawrence University, and received his law degree from Buffalo Law School. He married Molly A. Howard on December 28, 1968 at Asbury United Methodist Church.

   He was a lawyer at Conboy, McKay, Bachman, & Kendall for 25 years and then started James Heary Law Firm, retiring at age 77. Jim was a member of Life Church of the Nazarene. He was a board member for the Urban Mission, Credo, Chase Bank of Rochester, Family Counseling Service of NNY, Resolution Center, and was a former president and board member of the Black River Valley Club. He was the legal representative, for 45 years, for the Jefferson County IDA and also for the Watertown Local Development Corp. Jim enjoyed fishing, boating, hunting, and traveling and cruising with Molly.

   Along with his wife Molly, he is survived by three children, Lorraine H. Miner and husband Jim, Shamong, NJ, Deborah H. McAtee and husband Timothy, The Villages, FL, and Jamey W. Heary and wife Becca, Sarasota, FL; Molly's son from a previous marriage David R. Mouck and wife Ashley, Madison, MS; and ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

   Calling hours will be held at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown on Wednesday, February 26, from 4 - 7 PM. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 27, at 12 PM at Life Church of the Nazarene. Burial in the spring will be in  Brookside Cemetery. Online condolences to Jim's family may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com. Donations in his name may be made to the Watertown Urban Mission, 247 Factory St. or the NNY Community Foundation, 131 Washington St., both in Watertown, NY 13601.

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