William "Bill" Bruce Ward

William “Bill” Bruce Ward, 66, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019 at his residence.

Bill, the son of the Elvis Bruce and Wilma Fletcher Ward, was born Jan. 6, 1953, in Garden City, Mich. He proudly served his country in the US Army for 20 years, retiring in 1993. Bill was an avid NASCAR fan, and enjoyed playing golf and working on vehicles. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, who treasured being with his family. He will be missed.

Bill was married to the former Ingeborg “Inge” Klara Walther on Nov. 28, 1974, in Nierstein, Germany. She survives.

Other survivors include two sons, Charles Albert Walther and Willie B. Ward; two daughters, Ashley Nicole Ward and Klara Marie Walther, all of Poplar Bluff; four grandchildren, Courtney Ward, Emily Ward-Roles, Hunter Rommel and Wyatt Ward; a brother, Larry Sells, Sr. of Lexington, Tenn.; and a sister Rose Noonan of Dixon, Mo.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, Elvis Bruce Ward, his mother, Wilma Fletcher Hathaway and a sister Gloria Strickland.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel, with the funeral service following at 11 a.m. Chaplain Bruce M. Waring will officiate. Immediately following the service a final farewell salute by the staff at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center will take place in route to the graveside service at Ashcraft Cemetery, where full military honors will take place.

Memorial donations may be made to the William “Bill” Ward family, c/o of Cotrell Funeral Service, 701 Vine St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.

Cotrell Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of William “Bill” Ward.