Maurice "Bill" Eugene Ward

Maurice Eugene “Bill” Ward, 94, of Newton died on Thursday April 9, 2026, at MercyOne Newton Medical Center.  A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, April 20, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.  The family will greet friends from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service and again after the burial with a light lunch at the funeral home.  Memorials to the College of the Ozarks or Wesley Life Hospice may be left at the funeral home.

Bill, the son of Andrew and Bessie (Balmer) Ward, was born on February 20, 1932, in Newton.  He grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School in 1950.  He then received his A.A. Degree from Drake University.  Bill served his country in the U.S. Air Force.  On August 25, 1957, Bill was united in marriage with Barbara Stewart in Unionville, Missouri. They made their home in Newton where Bill would begin his 46-year career at the Maytag Company. He began in the mailroom and retired in April of 1996 as the Director of Benefits.

Bill was an active community member serving on various boards and committees. He was the Past President of the Newton School Board, Jasper County Board of Supervisors, First United Methodist Church, Maytag Management Club, and the United States Bowling Congress. Bill enjoyed bowling for 75 years and golfing.  He also was an avid sports fan, cheering on the “Iowa” football teams and the LA Dodgers.  Bill liked to garden and work in his yard and was known for baking candy and other baked goods to take to people and appointments all over town.

Bill is survived by his wife, Barbara Ward of Newton; children, Joy (Tim) Evavold of Canton, Michigan and Brent (Laurie) Ward of McDonough, Georgia; grandson, Jacob Evavold; James Hunter Lankford; sisters-in-law, Betty Ward of Newton and Kay Ward of Des Moines; dear family friends, Adam and Jana Todd and their children, Clara and Nora; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Dale, Dean, Harold, Dick, and Jerry; and two sisters, Dorothy Harvey and Lucille Herbold.

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