Obituary

Stephen Edward "Hiram" Ward, 53, rural Sterling, formerly of Halstead, died Thursday, October 9, 1997,in rural Halstead. He was born April 4, 1944 in Los Angeles, California; the son of Hiram Elbert Ward and Norvalle Marie Ward. A resident of Sterling for the last 12 years, he was a contract carrier for the Hutchinson News. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Halstead and former bandleader, singer and songwriter of Country Borderline Band.

On March 23, 1972 he married Debra F. Stephens in Hutchinson. She survives. Other survivors: three sons, Cash Allen Ward and Shane Edward Ward, both of Hutchinson and Heath Thomas Ward of Missouri; two daughters, Nicole Marie Kaufman, Sterling and Julia Denice Ward of the home; his mother of Halstead; sisters, Patricia Ann Smith, Hutchinson and Barbara Jane Ward, Garland, Texas; four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, who died in 1995.

Funeral was Monday, October 13, at First United Methodist Church in Halstead, with the Rev. James Mardock presiding. Burial was in the Halstead Cemetery with Kaufman Funeral home in charges of arrangements.