Wayne L. Ward, 86, of Nampa, passed away October 13, 2012. Wayne was born January 22, 1926 to Ray and Wilma Ward in their farmhouse in Sheldon, Missouri. The family moved to Buhl, Idaho in 1935 where they farmed in the Cedar Draw area. Growing up on a farm taught Wayne all about the value of hard work, a lesson he carried with him all his life.

Wayne graduated from Buhl High School in 1943, then served in the 6th army during WWII, where he trained for the invasion of Japan. After the war ended he spent a year in Korea before coming home on his 21stbirthday in 1947. He married his high school sweetheart, Donna May Wigington on June 1, 1947. Donna wore a dress of the finest silk Wayne had brought back from Korea.

Wayne farmed, drove truck, and worked as a police officer until he hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad in 1952. Life as a railroader meant lots of moves; Glenns Ferry, Nampa, Ogden, Twin Falls, Salt Lake, and finallyPocatello. Along the way Wayne and Donna had four children; Diana Kay, Wilford Ray, and twins Larry Duane and Gary Wayne. Wayne retired from Union Pacific in 1990. Wayne and Donna became full-time RVers and traveled wherever the weather and their whims took them. They spent most summers in Nampa and winters in Las Vegas, enjoying family and friends, old and new. They finally settled in a cozy home in the Silvercrest retirement community in Nampa when the road got too long to travel.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Donna. Wayne is survived by his children; Diana (Gary) Hill of Nampa, Will (Vonna) Ward of Salt Lake City, Larry (Debbie) Ward of Boise, Gary Ward of Boise, 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Waynes name to the "Operation Warmheart" P.O. Box 4188 Mountain Home AFB, Idaho 83648

A viewing will be held at Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel, from 4:00 7:00 on Thursday, October 18, 2012. A graveside service will be held at West End Cemetery in Buhl at 11:00 on Friday, October 19, 2012.

Service Information Visitation Thursday October 18, 2012 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel 415 12th Ave South Nampa, ID 83651 Graveside Service Friday October 19, 2012 11:00 AM West End Cemetery 1574 East 4150 North buhl, Idaho 83316