"Ernie" Lee Ward

In Loving Memory of Ernest Lee Ward

Sunrise November 20, 1948 Sunset December 26, 2021

Ernest Lee “Ernie” Ward was born November 20, 1948 to loving parents Marvin Cepheus Ward and Clara Ethel Clark Ward in Hanford, California.

The family fondly remembers Ernie as a young boy walking through the neighborhood pulling his little red wagon full of yesterdays newspapers. This young entrepreneur was on a mission to sell his papers for 10 cents each.  People could not resist his charm, so one after another they would buy out his newspapers even though they had already know the news of yesterday. 😊

After receiving his formal education and trade school he met and married the love of his life Marcella Valdez on July 7, 1970.They lived in Lawndale, Redondo Beach and Torrance Ca before settling in Snowflake, AZ. They were enjoying the retirement life when sadly Marcella passed away on April 4, 2013. They showered their 2 beautiful daughters with love. Serena and Marlayna Lee Ward were both treasures to Ernie and Marcella. Ernie suffered a great loss when his youngest child Marlayna Lee passed away just before the age of two.

His firstborn daughter Serena was born with a rare condition called Spina bifida. This condition prevented her from being able to walk during her lifetime. Despite these challenges Ernie and Marcella instilled a “Can do” spirit and gave her the confidence to cope with her condition and adapt as best she could. Against odds, with her parents unfailing support, Serena was able to live a full and active life before she passed in 2016. Serena and her husband Russell Mallon raised 2 beautiful boys together, grandsons that Ernie adored. This truly demonstrates how much love and care Ernie had for his family and he left a wonderful legacy of perseverance.

Ernie had an accomplished career as a Skilled Carpenter for over 30 years and was a member of the local Carpenters union in California for that entire time period.

After his retirement in 2006, Ernie and his wife moved to Snowflake, AZ. There he regained his entrepreneur skills and got into the Honey business. He would package, merchandise and market honey for his loyal customers throughout the area. Everyone in the Navajo county loved “Ernie the Honey Man”. He was a considered a legend in the White Mountains area, and often sold his Honey at “The Truck Stop” swap meet with his close friend Tim Straw, he became part of a close knit family there. He was often seen “Rocking out” to the live music bands that played there. He also loved telling stories. One friend said he was the “sweetest man on the mountain” He will truly be missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martha Cepheus his brothers Vernon, Robert and Virgil Ward. Ernest Lee Ward leaves to mourn his 2 Grandsons Christopher and Paul Mallon of Hemet, CA, Sister in law Pamela Ward Myers, son in law Russell Mallon, Nephews Kirk Ward of Greenville SC, Richard Ward, Lomita CA, Michael Ward, Hesperia CA, Justin Ward and Niece Roni Ward-Hasenphlug and a host of great nieces and great nephews, extended family and dear friends.