Willie "Butch" Larry Ward

Willie "Butch" Larry Ward, age 77, of Rochester Hills, Michigan passed away on Monday, February 12, 2024. Butch was born in Louisville, Mississippi on April 20, 1946, to Willie and Gladys Ward. He attended Rochester High School where his artistic skills earned him an art scholarship to Oakland University, but his academic career was derailed when he was drafted. Butch served his country in Vietnam in the 25th Infantry Tropic Lightning. His first wife Nancy Baker was the mother of his children. Butch married his second wife Barbara (nee Ellis) Ward on May 20, 2015, and they were together until his passing. He was a skilled Boilermaker and a proud member of the Boilermakers Local #169. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed camping, fishing, reading the Bible and being a member of the Fraternal Order Of The Eagles.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Ward; ex-wife Nancy Baker; children Kristin (Daniel Kierpaul) Ward, Aaron Ward, and Aimee Ward; grandchildren Steven Twerdak, Tasha Evans, Alexa Weaver, Sierra Paraham, and Miranda Ward; great grandchildren Caden Weaver, Arabella Price, and Alayah Jordan; siblings Thomas Ward, Patsy Evans, Cynthia Gephart; and his beloved Golden Doodle Maggie.

He is preceded in death by his parents Willie and Gladys, and siblings Bobbie McManus and Mary Linda Meissner.

A private burial will take place per Butch’s wishes.