Bobby Joe Bethea, a retired machinist, died Friday of cancer at Northwest Hospital Center. He was 59 and lived in Pikesville.

Before he retired several years ago, Mr. Bethea was a machinist at Joseph E. Seagram distillery in Relay, where he worked for 25 years. He had worked earlier at Sweetheart Cup and Glidden Paints.

Born in Wilmington, N.C., he was raised in South Baltimore and attended Carver Vocational Technical High School, where he studied mechanics.

Mr. Bethea enjoyed fishing and hunting.

In 1962, he married the former Beverly Ann Binns, who survives him.

A memorial service will be held 1 p.m., Friday at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 4002 Ridgewood Ave.

He also is survived by two sons, Lawrence L. Bethea and Arnold J. Bethea, both of Baltimore; three daughters, Sharon M. Winters, Donna Bethea and Camille Holmes, all of Baltimore; two brothers, Vernie Bethea and Herman Bethea, both of Baltimore; two sisters, Alice Kennedy and Merriam Poles, both of Baltimore; 11 grandchildren; and a great-grandson.