- Date Of Birth: May 30, 1929
- Date Of Death: April 4, 2009
- State: Idaho
Paul L. Ward, age 79 of Boise, passed way at home after a 25-year battle with cancer. Born May 30, 1929 in Logan, Utah, to LeRoy Wade Ward and Marguerite Kennard Ward, he spent most of his youth in the Cache Valley. His father was a hard-working farm and ranch hand. Paul, the oldest boy, learned from his father how to work and from a very young age helped support his five brothers and two sisters. His family moved often. His earliest memory was of his mother repeatedly pushing his head back under heavy blankets while riding in a sleigh during a numbing blizzard to his new home in Corral, Idaho.
Paul postponed high school in 1946 and moved to Boise with his Dad. They worked together at the sugar beet factory in Nampa until the rest of the family could join them. The following year he went to Boise High School and discovered he had a beautiful voice. He graduated in 1948. His experience in high school, under the tutelage of Leonard Hartzler, started a life-long love affair with music.
Paul was a missionary at heart and the time he spent as president of the Netherlands Amsterdam Mission, with his wife, from 1985 to 1988 was one of the highlights of his life. He loved the missionaries who served with him.
He said of himself, “I was born to be a husband and Father,” and of all his accomplishments it was clear that this was the one he valued most. He put his family first and was a gentle, devoted husband and father. His legacy of kindness and devotion has been passed on to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife Toos; five children and their spouses, Roy Ward (Mary), Angela Webb (Kimo), Chad Ward (Susan), Heidi Roark (Tony), Marc Ward (Sara); eighteen grandchildren, Sydney van den Akker (Ty), Courtney Ward, Joshua Webb, Cardon Webb (Kelly), Kim Martin (Brad), Logan Webb, Megan Hughes (Brett), Hailey Wilde (Brandon), Jordan Ward, McKay Ward, Raquel Shepard (Cody), Harrison Roark, Tanner Roark, Paul Ward, Ethan Ward, Catarina Ward, Bella Ward, Sofia Ward; ten great-grandchildren, Danika, Davin, Alana, Madison, Stacia, Connor, Cash, Milah, Elijah, Elsa; seven siblings, Beth Wheeler, Lynn Ward (Cathy), LaVar Ward (Lois), Keith Ward (Janice), Mondell Ward (Sonja), Carolyn Johns (Rex), Frank Ward (Barbara); and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Paul Ward III, Erin Webb; and one great grandchild, Onyx Ward.
