William A. Ward, age 70, of 155 29th Street; Gladstone, died Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at the Christian Park Health Care Center in Escanaba where he was a patient for the previous two weeks.
Bill was born August 4th, 1935 in Escanaba, the son of Vern and Juanita (Fulton) Ward and was raised in Gladstone. He entered the U.S. Air Force as a young man and remained in the military until his honorable discharge in 1973 after 20 years of service to his country, including spending time in Vietnam.
Bill relocated to Idaho and was employed for the City of Lewiston and retired to Gladstone six years ago.
Bill Ward was a member of the DAV, and enjoyed fishing as a past-time. In his earlier years, he participated in rodeo events and later enjoyed watching rodeo shows. He was also an avid NASCAR enthusiast.
Bill survivors include:
2 Daughters: Jackie (Don) Downs of Kodiac, Alaska; Carol (Jess) Hahn Asotin, Washington
Step-Mother: Janie Ward of Gladstone
1 Step-son: Steve (Susan) Sadler of California
3 Step- daughters: Laurie Sadler of Lake Oswego, Oregon; Terri Bursch of Spokane, Washington; Belinda Sadler of Lake Oswego, Oregon
1 Sister-Patricia (John) Lynaugh of Soo Hill
Numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Laverne LaFountain and Mary Lou Benoit.
Bill also leaves to survive special friends, Dick and Carol Cole, of Gladstone.
Private services will be scheduled at the convenience of the family with the assistance of the Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County.
Anonymous
Uncle Bill was definately one of my favorite Uncles. God bless all of you and may he rest in peace. Uncle Bill please say hi to my dad, I miss him.
Chuck, Janet, Jon, Morgan Thorsted & Patty Hoel
Uintah, UT
I worked at the Lewiston Airport for a number of years with Bill. I am married to his neice from a previous marriage. He’ll always be Uncle Bill to me. We’ll miss him…
Doug Wickum
Clarkfield, Pampanga, Philippines
Bill,
You were a Dad in every sense of the word. You gave me my first: fishing pole, 22 rifle(for passing the hunters safety course in Kansas), job(at the Country Kitchen), car (with a full set of tools), my first deer(I was so excited that I could not even whistle to you),my football and softball games,there are way too many things to list. You taught me to love and respect my family, myself and the outdoors. You gave me the tools in life to grow into an adult. I will always have a void that only you could fill.I will see you in Heaven. I’m sorry I didn’t get the Oregon property soon enough. Thank you for everything, Dad.
My Love Forever
Your Son,
Steve Sadler
Yucaipa, CA
He will always be Uncle Bill to our Family. We are only sorry we did not know where is way so we could have talked with him. But, now our John and Uncle Bill are together hunting and fishing like they did for years. His family is in our prayers and thoughts.
The John & Sharon Hoel Family
321 West 75 South Clearfield, UT
Bill:
I hope you remember me. You and I worked together when I first came to Lewiston twenty-one years ago. You welcomed me to town, you helped me get started in the job. When I met my future wife, you helped me get married. When my son died, you helped me bury him. You were more than a co-worker. I’d be honored to call you my friend.
So I was selfishly sad to find out you’re no longer here, happy for you that you finally made it, proud to have had some time with you. Tell Adam, “Hi” for me, would ya?
Thank you, Bill
Robin Turner
Lewiston, ID
You are in our hearts and prayers in the loss of this loving man.
Joe & Cheryl Dickenson
Clarkston, WA