Floyd Henry Ward

Floyd Henry Ward, age 91, of the Formosa Community, died Thursday, February 24, 2011 in the Ozark Health Nursing Center in Clinton, Arkansas. He was born near Arkadelphia, Arkansas on February 6, 1920, and he was the adopted son of Ben and Roxie Ward of the Valley Community west of Bee Branch, Arkansas. The Wards already had two children, both older than Henry. Their names were Jesse and Marie. Jesse and his wife, Renie, had four children: Alma Lee, Calvin, Alvin Dale, and Wade. Only Wade is living. He and his wife, Barbara, live in North Little Rock. Marie Eitzen, Henry's sister, is living in a nursing home in Andover, Kansas. She was the mother of four children: two girls, both deceased, and two boys still living. Many thanks are due Pat Ausbrooks of Bryant, Arkansas for supplying family history. Pat is Alma Lee Banes' daughter and great-niece to Henry. Henry has many other great-nieces and nephews too numerous to mention. Henry attended Southside schools where he was a good athlete. Henry scored the first basket in the new rock gym in basketball. Not having a vehicle, he walked several miles from the school back to the valley following his ballgames. Later Henry played baseball and was actually scouted by the Arkansas Travelers' baseball team during a tournament played at Clinton. He was quite a runner and hitter in his day! Henry met Mabel Winningham while making a crop for Mabel's father, Lee Winningham, during the thirties. They married on December 23, 1941 shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Henry spent the next six years in the service. He fought in Europe during 1944-1945. He fought from Omaha Beach in Normandy, France all the way to Berlin. He was in the reserves the following five years. Although the Wards wanted children; it was not to be. Mabel had four miscarriages. However, they were aunt and uncle to Mabel's brothers' children. Kelless and Bev had Lowell, Doyce, and Etta Lou. Opie and Vergie had Lou Ann and Shirlee. They have many great-nieces and nephews. In addition, they had so many good friends and neighbors and a wonderful church family from the Formosa Baptist Church where they were members. Henry loved to go hunting, fishing, and camping. Also he was a Nailbender who helped build churches. He helped build the Formosa Baptist Church, and he and Mabel traveled with the Nailbender organization to help build other churches after they retired. Henry was a farmer, store owner, carpenter, and worked many years in the Springfield missile base. Last Thanksgiving, Mabel became very ill and unable to walk. After a week's stay in the Morrilton Hospital, they both became residents of the Ozark Health Nursing Center in Clinton. On January, 12, Mabel passed away. Funeral services for Henry will be held at the Formosa Baptist Church on highway 9 near the Ward home on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 11 a.m. Reverend Billy Don Crow will deliver the sermon and Dr. Earl Goatcher will be assisting. Burial will follow in the nearby Union Hill Cemetery by Roller Funeral Home of Clinton A time of visitation will be held 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the service at 10:30 a.m. Pallbearers will be: Wayne Sowells, James Vest, Brian Hall, William Keith, Keith Bonds, and Doyne Ray Ward. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Oliger, Erwin Oliger, Jim Ayers, and Farris Bonds. Funeral Arrangements are under the care and direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Clinton, Arkansas. Online guest book: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com For those wishing to make a donation to the new Family Life Center of the Formosa Baptist Church instead of sending flowers, send to: Formosa Baptist Church Attn: Building Fund, P.O. Box 1530, Clinton, Ark. 72031.