William Leon Ward was born August 7, 1942, in Green Forest, Arkansas, to James Wilburn and Chleo Geneva Hughes Ward. He died Wednesday, February 8, 2017, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 74 years. Leon was reared and educated in Harrison, Arkansas, and graduated with the Harrison High School Class of 1960. He continued his education at Arkansas State Teacher’s College, now the University of Central Arkansas, in Conway, Arkansas, where he also played baseball as a catcher. More importantly, he met the love of his life Beverly Ann Scott, and was married June 24, 1962, in Harrison. Leon spent 14 years in management with Montgomery-Ward and 34 years with Wal-Mart management. He went to Blackwell, Oklahoma, in 1980, then to Ponca City, Oklahoma, as the first Wal-Mart manager in Store #823, before retiring in 2010. He was Boss of the Year at the Ponca City store in 1986, which was also named Store of the Year in 1987. He was also a member of the Ponca City Jaycees. In 2012, Leon and Bev celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. In 2015 they moved from Ponca City to Owasso, Oklahoma, to be near their family. Leon and Bev were members of the First Assembly of God in Owasso and have been active in Assembly of God churches all their married life. Leon played semi-pro baseball in Oklahoma and Arkansas for three years as well as fast pitch softball in Kansas. He coached little league pony league baseball, football, and basketball. He worked in Boy Scouts as a leader and Scoutmaster. He started the first Royal Rangers group in Springdale, Arkansas, at the First Assembly of God. He was named Man of the Year at that church and served in several churches as board member and Sunday School Superintendent. He was also an avid fan of Oklahoma State University sports and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Loving family members include:
Wife; Bev, of the home
Two sons and daughters-in-law;
Kevin Ward and his wife Wendy, of Paragould, Arkansas
Scott Ward and his wife Tonya, of Owasso, Oklahoma
Five grandchildren;
Blake Ward, Madison Ward, Jared Ward, Stephanie Smith and her husband Ryan, and
Heather Ward.
Great grandson; Mason Smith
And a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday February 20, 2017, at the First Assembly of God, 1329 West Stephenson Avenue, Harrison, Arkansas, 72601. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
