WARD, LESTER LEE: Lester Lee Ward, son of Bland T. and Mayme I. Williams Ward, was born July 5, 1940, north of Hartville, Missouri. He departed this life Monday, December 20, 2004 in St. John's Hospital, Lebanon, Laclede County, Missouri, at the age of sixty four years, five months and fifteen days. His parents and a granddaughter, Shayla Michelle Jolene Ward, preceded him in death. Lester, is survived by a daughter, Paula Yonts and her husband, David of Lebanon, Missouri; two sons, Dwayne Ward, and his wife, Tina, of Phillipsburg, Missouri and Benjamin Ward, of Conway, Missouri; six grandchildren; a step grandson; a step great grandson; two brothers, Jack and Verble Ward both of Lebanon, Missouri; five sisters, Mary Rogers, Geneva Knapp, Norma Rogers, Dottie Barker and Virginia DeVore, all of Lebanon, Missouri; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. Lester, was raised in the Jerk Tail and Hartville communities, and then as a young man moved to the Lebanon area. He was employed by the Independant Stave Company for twenty-five years. He had made his home with his sisters Norma and Genieva for the last several years. Lester had made his Profession of Faith in Christ and was a member of North Highway 5 Freewill Baptist Church in Lebanon. In his younger years he enjoyed fishing and hunting, and loved to eat, especially chocolate chip cookies and blackberry jelly. His family was very important to him and he greatly enjoyed his grandchildren. Lester, was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he created for his family and friends. Funeral services were held Thursday, December 23, 2004 at 10:00 A.M. in Holman Howe Chapel with the Rev. Ed Ruble officiating. Recorded musical selections were: "Amazing Grace", and "I Can Only Imagine." Burial was in New Home Cemetery, Elk Creek Twp., Wright County, Missouri. Escorts were: Lloyd Barker, Traver Haring, Jerry Rogers, William "Bub" Rogers Jr., Mo Chambers, Rueben Knapp, Larry Rogers and Terry Ward. Honorary Escorts were: Ronnie Rogers, Larry Ward, Aaron Ward and Mike Ward.