Norman Lennard Ward

Norman Lennard Ward, 87, of Jefferson City, passed away Thursday, January 29, 2026, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital.

He was born in Cardwell, Missouri, on July 24, 1938, the son of Grason and Eula Mae (McClearn) Ward.

A graduate of Leachville High School in 1956, Norman then attended Arkansas State University. He was a star basketball player both in high school and college.

He was married on October 26, 1957, in Hernando, Mississippi to the love of his life, Ruthie Fern Billingsley, who preceded him in death on November 28, 2020.

He started as a lineman in 1958 for United Telephone Company, later becoming Sprint, and worked for them for over forty years as a consultant. 

He was a member of Free and Accepted Masons of Leachville, Arkansas and was extremely proud to help run the Leachville Arkansas Volunteer Fire Department from 1960-1972.

Norman was the “rock” of the family.  His family was his highest priority, and he loved being with them. He enjoyed his pets, duck hunting, traveling, reading westerns, watching old t.v. shows and the St. Louis Cardinals. He especially loved camping and fishing on the family property in Norfork, Arkansas.

He is survived by four grandchildren, Samuel (Karolina) Ward, Jefferson City; Caroline (Adam) Bisges, Kansas City; Elizabeth (Michael Six) Ward, Jefferson City; and Elijah Cass, Springfield; and nine great-grandchildren, Grason Ward, Liam Ward, Imogen Armato, Louise Bisges, Laurel Bisges, Alexis Timmons, Kinsley Bray, Gaberiel Ward, and Sophia Six.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Fern; a son, Norman Brent Ward; and a brother, Gaylon Ward.

Memorials are suggested to the Fern and Brent Ward Memorial Scholarship Fund at Jefferson City High School.  Please make checks payable to Jefferson City School District and indicate in memo line the Fern and Brent Ward Memorial Scholarship.

Services for Norman will be held at a later date.

Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com