Joseph Ward

(From Simpson Funeral Home)

We bid a heartfelt farewell to Joseph Mckinley Ward, fondly known as Joe, who was born on December 2, 1960, in St. Louis, MO, and lived an enchanting life filled with love, laughter, and generosity. He was a beacon of support for his family and friends, always ready with a joke to lighten the mood and a shoulder to lean on. His generous spirit was as vast as the Missouri skies, and his laughter was as contagious as his love for life.

A loving father, Joseph was passionate about fishing, hunting, and playing guitar. He had a knack for making everyday activities seem like grand adventures, creating memories that will be cherished forever. 

Joseph wasn't just an outdoorsman; he was also an avid gamer, spending countless hours online with his family. There was a beautiful balance to Joseph's life – the way he could hook a fish at dawn, strum a soulful tune at dusk, and lead a gaming quest late into the night. This balance was not only a testament to his diverse interests but a reflection of his multifaceted personality.

Joseph lived in several places throughout his life, including Carthage, MO, and Frankclay, MO, but it was his family that mattered most to him. He is survived by his sons, Joseph (Christina) Ward, James Ward: daughters Shirley (Frank) Ward, Tonya (Lance) Ward. He is fondly remembered by his siblings Donna (Mike) Kean, Jason (Kristie) Ward, Lena (Cecil) Daugherty, Lester (Lisa) Ward, Mike (Laura) Ward and Stacy (Christy) Ward; grandchildren, Stephen (Abigail) Guccione, Abigail Vandenburg, Jocelyn Benito, Antonio Benito, Andrew Vandenburg, Zoey Ward, Audrie Ward, Mila Munley and Isaiah Ward; great-grandchildren, Rowan Guccione and Juniper Guccione and countless nieces and nephews that he loved dearly. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Audrie Ward and his brother Donald Ward. 

As we celebrate Joseph's life, we remember him not with tears, but with the joy and laughter that he brought into our lives. His life was a testament to the truth in the words of Maya Angelou, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Joseph made us all feel loved, cherished, and important.

The visitation will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Simpson Funeral Home located at 400 West Daugherty Street, Webb City, Missouri. The funeral service will take place on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the same venue followed by a graveside committal at 12:00 PM. All services are under the personal care and direction of Simpson Funeral Home. The family encourages relatives and friends to visit www.simpsonfh.com to share photos and memories of Joseph. His life was one of love and laughter, and those memories will continue to bring joy and comfort to those who loved him.