James R. Waits 76 of Mingo Junction, Ohio died Friday evening at his residence. He was born in Lancaster, Ohio on March 22, 1927 a son of the late James N. and Stella M. Hunt Waits. He retired from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. as a boiler operator; was Methodist by faith and a member of Brilliant American Legion Post 0573. Jim served in the Navy during WWII. He was preceded in death by a son Harry “Butch” Neely and one brother Clyde Waits. Surviving are his wife Margaret A. Fellows Waits; daughter Barbara Waits at home; sons James J. “Jeff” Waits of Tuscon, Arizona and Gregory Neely of Las Vegas, Nevada; grandsons Dennis Neely and Ken (Donna) Neely; and a sister Mary Beck of Westminster, CA. Friends may call at Hoff-Shorac Funeral Home, 235 Clifton Avenue, Mingo Junction on Monday from 5 p.m. until time of services at 7 p.m. with Rev. Tom Thomas officiating. Private interment. Memorial contributions may be made to Mingo Fire Dept. or Valley Hospice, Inc.