Delbert William Ward, the son of Byrd and Maude Melton Ward was born July 17, 1925 at what is now known as the Carter Place north of Valentine, NE. Delbert joined his wife, Phyllis, to dance forever on September 9, 2011. Delbert was the 10th of 12 children born of this union - Mina Wilma, James Allen, Grace Avon, Helen Hannah, Melton, Alice Mary, Wren Ruth, Frances Clara, Audrey Esther, Elvira (Sissy) Marie, Velma Alberta. Delbert was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Phyllis in May, 2005.

Delbert graduated from the 8th Grade from School District #2, the Ward School, in Cherry County in May, 1940. Upon graduation, he went back to the farm to support his mother and his siblings still in school. When he was 18, the family moved to Valentine where he continued working.

In 1944 Delbert met Phyllis Farley, the absolute love of his life. They drove from Valentine in a 1933 Chevy on September 22, 1945 to get married at the Methodist Minister's Home in Ainsworth. They celebrated their honeymoon for the next 59 years by "many Saturday nights of dancing". To this union four sons were born, Gerald (Gary), David, Kenneth and Robert. During those years of starting their family, Delbert worked on ranches at Martin and Merriman until 1958. They then moved to Valentine and purchased the "home place", where he went to work for his brother, Allen, as a plumber. Delbert and Phyllis started their own plumbing business in 1975, which he continued to own and operate with the help of his sons and grandsons until his retirement in 2008. Delbert was devoted to his customers and his work.

Delbert adored all of his Grandchildren, no matter how near or far away they lived. Delbert's hobbies were visiting with his many friends and waitresses over coffee. He never met a stranger, for long, nor was he ever without a pocketful of Tootsie Rolls to share with one and all. He enjoyed sharing his love of flowers with his various special friends.

He passed away Friday, September 9, 2011 at the Ainsworth Care Center in Ainsworth, Nebraska at the age of 86 years.

Delbert is survived by his sons: Gerald (Gary) Ward, of Madison, NE, David (Connie) Ward of Valentine, NE, Kenneth (Kathy) Ward, of Lamar, CO and Robert Ward of Valentine. Delbert is also survived by his 9 Grandchildren: Sharlene Ward, Sandy Throckmorton, Grace (Jeff) Jewitt, Floyd (Pamela) Ward, Justin (Stephanie) Ward, Daniel Ward, Joseph (Naomi) Ward, Joshua Ward, Mary Ward, John Delbert (J.D.)(Freesia) Ward and Special Granddaughter, Katharina (Katy) S?llner of Germany; 22 Great Grandchildren, 1 Great-Great-Grandchild, numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. He is survived by his Sister Elvira (Sissy) Marie, his Brother-in-law, George and his wife Elsie and Sister-in-law Shirley Farley.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM, Friday, September 16, 2011 at the Valentine Presbyterian Church with burial at Mount Hope Cemetery, Valentine. Visitation at the funeral home will be Wednesday from 9am-5pm and Thursday from 9am-9pm.