Bobby Ward

Bobby Ward was born on August 2, 1940, to Bobby Richardson and Mary E. Ward. He attended and graduated from Richmond High School in Richmond, Missouri. He excelled in metal forming skills squadron and sheet metal work.

He entered The United States Marine Corps and was assigned duty with the Aviation Branch of The United States Marine Corps.

Bob's twenty years of Troop Assignments included work with The Marine Corps Phantom Jet-F4B. He successfully completed service tours with Marine Corps squadron VMFA314, VM Test Programs FA122 and VMFA513, and other assignments which included Marine Air Group 11 in Vietnam.

Bob headed the Non-Destructive Test Programs for Marine 11 and held key staff positions with troops at The Marine Corps Air Training Detachment in Washington DC.

Bob's mother, Mary Ward; father, Bobby Richardson; one brother, Jermone Richardson; two daughters, Patricia Clay and Eva Thomas preceded him in death.

Bobby married Billie Esther Vaughn, and to this union one daughter was born, Theresa Ward Palmer. Bobby loved children, and to this union he loved and nurtured Arlene Coles, Cloyed Coles, Kathleen Coles, Christine Grabish, Eva Thomas, Marion Coles, and Verona Coles.

Bob was baptized by the late Pastor Lois J. Seals of Emmanuel Repentance Temple. He remained Assistant Pastor and continued the ministry with His wife Pastor Celeste Ward.

Bobby was a member of The We are One AA Group for many years. He and his wife later started The Way Out Group where many people were helped in their recovery. Three years ago, he helped The Way Out Group merge with The New Fellowship Way Out Group.

On December 21, 1986, Bobby met and married the love of his life, Pastor Celeste Howell Ward. They remained married until his death. To this union, Bobby loved and nurtured two daughters, Cheryl Marrow Combs (Herschell) and Chelette Foster; one son, Raymond Marrow (Regina); 14 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren.