EAST HERKIMER - William Francis Ward "Bill" age 92, passed peacefully on Tuesday evening, January 12, 2021, in Valley Health Services, Inc., Herkimer. Bill was born on April 24, 1928 in Newport, son of William F. and Cecilia Weber Ward. He was raised and educated in Mohawk. Upon completing his education he went to work at the Dellwood Foods in Herkimer. He worked there for forty-six years, retiring in 1990 attaining the position of Vice President Manager Farm Relations. On October 2, 1948, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, the former Dorothy Wren. They shared a devoted union of sixty years until her passing on March 23, 2008. Mr. Ward had a strong belief in God and was a member of Saint Francis deSales RC Church in Herkimer. In his leisure time he enjoyed attending daily mass, breakfast at local diners, restoring and using old farm tractors, rabbit hunting, competition shooting, cutting firewood, planting his garden and sitting on his back porch. Cherished were the memories of the many trips he and Dorothy had taken with their motorhome. Bill was happiest when he was with his many friends and family. His warm and caring manner will make him missed by all. He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth "Libby" Battisti and her husband Michael of Saint Johnsville, five sons, James Ward, William Ward and his wife Judy all of East Herkimer, Joseph Ward and his wife Pamela, David Ward and his wife Elaine, all of Mohawk, Patrick Ward and his wife Sharon of Nashua, NH, two sisters, Carol Wren of New Hartford, Joan Canorro of Little Falls, fourteen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents and wife Dorothy he was preceded in death by his son Kenneth Ward and two sisters, Rose Mary Wren and Ruth Ward and special friend Jeanne Lytwnec. A Mass of Christian will be celebrated on Friday, January 22nd at 10:00 am in Saint Francis deSales RC Church, Herkimer. The Reverend Mark Cunningham, Pastor will officiate. Interment will take place later this spring in Saint John's Cemetery, Newport. The family wishes to express their appreciation to Darcy, Shannon, Chris and Morgan for their care and compassion shown to Bill and the staff at Valley Services, Inc. for the wonderful care during a difficult time. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Salvation Army Food Pantry, 429 North Prospect Street, Herkimer, NY 13350. Funeral arrangements are with Fenner Funeral Home, Inc. Herkimer. Mass of Christian Burial

Friday, January 22, 2021 10:00 AM

St. Francis deSales Church N. Bellinger Street Herkimer, NY 13350