Willie Ward
d. March 27, 2014
Willie B. Ward Obituary
The Lord called Willie B. Ward home Thursday, March 27, 2014 after a long and happy life. He was 90 years old.
Willie B. Ward was born October 14, 1923 in Morton, Mississippi to the late Roberta Carter and the late Oscar Johnson. He was raised by Roberta Carter and George Ward, his adopted father, after George and Roberta were married.
Willie B. was the oldest of 5 children. He was always willing to help others as he had to help raise his sister and brothers after his mother passed at an early age. He spent his childhood and early adult life in Mississippi where he married Beatrice Holmes, having six children together and served in the US Army.
Willie B. moved his family to McNary, Arizona in the fall of 1952 where he was employed with South West Forest Industry. During this time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and was an avid outdoorsman with his family. He then moved to Portland, Oregon in 1959 and started a new life for himself, and another child Anita Ward was born with Irene Handy.
During Willie B.’s life he was employed by several companies and retired from Riemann and McKinney Barrel Factory. Upon retirement, Willie B. worked tirelessly supporting his community by working at the Portland Life Center. There he delivered meals-on-wheels to seniors and shut-ins and picked up clothing and appliances to be delivered to the life center as donations for the needy. Willie B. was loved by everyone whom he came in contact with while he was doing his charitable work.
Willie B. is preceded in death by his mother Roberta Ward, his father’s George Ward and Oscar Johnson, his son Robert Earl, his sister Letha Powell, three brothers, J.D. Ward, Hampton Ward, Robert George Ward and daughter Vena W. Lee.
Willie B. is survived by his wife Beatrice Ward, two sons, Arthur B. (Jeanette) Ward and Billy L. (Iralene) Ward, three daughters, Emma J. Russell, Queen Esther (Robert) Clark, Anita Ward, seventeen (17) grand children, seventeen (17) great grand children and many nieces, nephews, friends and relatives.