Ken Ward Killed in Car Wreck
Enterprise, Oregon
Kenneth Wayne Ward, 40, of Pullman, Washington, formerly of Enterprise, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Landy Ward of Enterprise, was killed at 1:50 pm on Saturday, Jan. 25, 1969 in a two car collision of US Highway 195 about seven miles south of Pullman.
Kenneth was driving a 1967 Plymouth sedan and was south bound when his car skidded on the icy road and collided with a north bound 1963 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by John George, a professor at WSU, who was accompanied by his wife, Mary Helen. Mrs. George passed away at the Pullman Memorial hospital. Mr. George suffered bruises, abrasions and shock. Washington State Police said that the Ward vehicle went into a skid on a slightly downhill curve and crossed into the path of the George vehicle and was struck on the driver’s side. Both vehicles came to a stop in the ditch adjacent to the northbound lane of traffic. Both vehicles were damaged beyond practical repair. Ward was killed outright and Mrs. George, a lab technician at WSU, died enroute to a Pullman hospital. Ward had been employed as a ranch hand by Richard D. Wilbourn, Rt.. 2, Pullman, for the last six years.
Memorial services for Kenneth are being held today (Thurs.) at 2 pm at the Bollman Chapel with Rev. Lester T. Wells officiating. Military committal service will be by Wallowa Lake Post No. 157 of the American Legion of Joseph, and casket bearers will be Richard Stein, Horce Daggett, Delwyn Zollman, Jean Butler, Gary Muntjewerff and Ronald Cole. Interment will be in the Enterprise cemetery.
Kenneth was born April 8, 1928 at Enterprise, son of Landy and Nellie Ward, and he had lived in Wallowa Co. until 1964. Since that time he had made his home in Pullman and was a farmer. He was a veteran of the Korean War. On Oct. 29, 1957, he was married at Joseph to Betty May Jennings. Survivors include his wife Betty and two children, Jerry Lee and Kathy, at the Pullman home; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Landy Ward of Enterprise, and one brother, Jay Clifton Ward of Joseph.
Wallowa County Chieftain, June 30, 1969
Contributed by Michelle Drayton-Fisher