"Teacher"
Our wonderful, loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend, Bill Ward, died at home after an extended illness Friday, February 14, 2003, surrounded by his adoring family.
Bill was born in Logan, UT April 27, 1932 to William Claybourne and Alice Peggy Ward. He married his high school sweetheart, Janeen Foster, March 16, 1953. In 1977 they were sealed in the Provo LDS Temple. Shortly after their marriage they traveled to Germany where Bill was stationed with the U.S. Seventh Army of Occupation, NATO forces. He received an honorable discharge in 1954. Upon his return to Salt Lake City, he enrolled in the University of Utah and received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in business.
Bill leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Janeen; their five daughters, Lisa Ward, Salt Lake City, Deni (Paul) McMurray, Crofton, MD, Tracey Slinger, Salt Lake City, Cori (Clark) Whetten, St. George, UT, Cecily (Mark Willsher) Ward, San Francisco, CA; 14 grandchildren; brother, Brent Ward, Salt Lake City; and sister, Renee Allen, Las Vegas, NV. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Carol Hill.
A talented teacher, an "800" bowler, a dedicated employee and an avid fan of the "Utes," Bill was a multi-faceted, renaissance man. He will be remembered first and foremost as an educator. He began his teaching career at West High School, he then moved on to teach at LDS Business College, and finally to the University of Utah where he headed the Secretarial Training Department, and the Division of Continuing Education. In 1985, he joined Information Associates, where he developed and marketed software for financial aid departments of higher education. In 1992, he rejoined the staff at the University of Utah in the Financial Aids Department. He retired from the University in 1997 after 29 years of accumulated service. No matter what position he took, Bill was a teacher, a teacher who inspired his students to become professionals and to excel in the business world.
Bill was adored by his family. He was their rock, their fan, the one to cheer them up and advise them when they faced problems in their lives and the first to hug them when they achieved success. He was an example of love, patience, kindness, pride, wisdom and faith. He was proud of his harem of five beautiful daughters, and he adored his wife, lifetime companion and best friend, Janeen. He learned to go to concerts instead of baseball games and his children knew that he would always be in the audience, applauding their performances. Bill instilled in them the ability to choose and select wisely by his example. He taught both his daughters and his students with enthusiasm and would say, "You cannot kindle a fire in any other heart until it is burning in your own." Dad, "We stepped in your steps all the way." We love you and will miss you.
Services will be 12 noon Wed. Feb 19, 2003 Cottonwood LDS 7th Ward Chapel, 5565 Neighbor Lane (5500 S. and 1610 E), where friends may call Tues. Feb 18, 2003, 6-8 p.m. and Wed. 11-11:45 a.m. Interment, Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery/ Mortuary.