An old aviator, Stephen Glen Ward, age 84, has "Gone West." His life will be celebrated Saturday May 10 at 10:00 AM at Smith Funeral Home in Stamps, AR. Visitation will be conducted 6-8 PM Friday May 9 at the same location.

Steve was born to Glen and Dorothy Ward on Dec 19, 1929 in Stamps, AR and died May 6, 2014 in Bossier City, LA. Eyeing the heavens, he earned a pilot license in 1948 and continued a lifetime association with aircraft. A U.S. Navy veteran, he was an aircraft mechanic with VF144 "Bitter Birds" during and after the Korean War. He earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas in 1958 and joined Boeing in Wichita, KS to complete work on the B-52 program. In 1961, he relocated to Crossett, AR with the Georgia-Pacific Paper Company and in 1968 moved to Ashdown, AR with Nekoosa Paper Company from which he retired in 1985 as a senior engineer.

Steve married Hazel Warren of Springhill, LA in June 1955. Steve and Hazel were inseparable during their nearly 57 years of marriage until her death in 2012. They are now reunited in heaven, absent from the body, but forever with the Lord. Together, they have a daughter, Vickie Lee of Sherwood, AR; she is married to Dr. Richard Lee, pastor of First Baptist Church, Sherwood. Steve and Hazel's son, Colonel Warren Ward, USAF (ret) and his wife, Amanda Ward, live in Benton, LA.

Steve is also survived by a sister, Joanna Dubose and husband CMSgt Jack Dubose, USAF (ret) of Aiken, SC; brother Leon Ward and wife Barbara Ward of Holly Lake, TX. He has four grandchildren: Stephen Lee and wife Robyn Lee of Sherwood, AR; Bryan Lee and wife Shannon Lee of Bryant, AR; Michaella Ward of Benton, LA and Ethan Ward of Benton, LA. He has one great-grandson, Gideon Lee of Sherwood, AR.

The family is grateful to the superb staff at the Northwest Louisiana War Veteran's Home in Bossier City.

Memorials may be directed to Millwood Baptist Church, 800 Hwy 32 E, Ashdown, AR, 71822.