Long Beach, California
Bob Ward, son of Karl Moroni Ward and Ethelyn Towler Lindsay, was born on September 11, 1938 in Long Beach, California. He died on June 16, 2025 at his home in Springville, Utah at age 86.
Bob embraced his election as student body president of the Longfellow Elementary School. In Jr. High, he was named the student athlete of his class. At the Long Beach Polytechnic High School, he was elected student body president and competed on the basketball and track and field teams. He graduated from high school in 1956 and then pursued a college education at Brigham Young University and at California State Long Beach University.
In February 1961, Bob met Josephine Diantha “Diane” Benson at a church dance. After a whirlwind courtship, they were married and sealed for all eternity on June 29, 1962 in the Los Angeles Temple.
Bob supported his wife and growing family for two years as an English teacher and basketball coach at the Polytechnic High School. In 1963 he joined his father and brothers in the Ward’s Furniture Store and moved into the home at 1166 Claiborne Drive in the Bixby Knolls district of Long Beach. He and Diane resided in that home for nearly 60 years.
The constant in his life was his love for the Savior Jesus Christ. Bob was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and Diane served three missions for their church.
After a difficult recovery from heart surgery, in 2021 Bob and Diane moved from Long Beach to Springville, Utah.
Bob was preceded in death by two children: Jeffrey Traver Ward and Stacey Lynn Ward. He is survived by his wife Diane and seven children and their spouses: James (Rachel) Ward, Bradley (Kimberly) Ward, Brent (Jana) Ward, Bryan (Marybeth) Ward, David (Kathryn) Ward, Kristin (Jamie) Malone, and Kathryn (Timothy) Brandt.
He is also survived by 37 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. His viewing will be held on Thursday, July 10th from 6-8 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse at 996 W. Center Street in Springville UT.
His memorial service will be held on Friday, July 11th at 10 a.m. at the same location. The internment will be at the Springville City Cemetery. The link to his memorial service can be found on the Springville Utah Spring Creek Mortuaries website.