Old Forge – William Loren Ward, 75, of Old Forge passed away December 13, 2012 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center after a long illness.

He was born in Lowville on August 20, 1937, the fifth of six children to Donald and Emma (Roy) Ward Kaban. Bill attended Lowville Academy and Central School, graduating in 1955. He entered the U.S. Army that same year, and after serving in both CO and NJ, was honorably discharged in 1961.

Bill married the former Joan Benedict on May 28, 1960, in Turin. Together they raised five children.

Bill worked for the local telephone company in Old Forge for over 35 years, retiring in 1992. He was a life member of the Old Forge Fire Department, and had served on the Town of Webb School Board of Education for several years.

Survivors include Joan, his wife of 52 years; five children, Suzanne Sattler (Dan) of Rochester, Michele Grosch (Ron) of Warren, PA, Dawn Lenci, Loren and Larry Ward, all of Old Forge; a brother, Jack Ward, of Lowville; eight grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Walter and Richard, and two sisters, Lila Campbell and Yvonne O’Neill.

His funeral service was at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 17, 2012, at the Turin United Methodist Church in Turin. Interment followed in Turin Cemetery. Calling hours were Sunday, December 16, 2012, from 2-5 p.m. at the Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral Home, 128 Fern Avenue, Old Forge. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to consider a donation in Bill’s memory to the Old Forge Fire Department or a charity of your choice.

Online messages of sympathy may be left at www.dfwefh.com.

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