Ethan Paul Ward

Ethan Paul Ward was born May 11, 1931, in Slope County, N.D., to Ethan John and Eunice (Prior) Ward. He died Saturday, April 6, 2024, in Lewiston, just shy of his 93rd birthday.

Following Paul’s graduation from eighth grade in Deary he joined the U.S. Army. While in the Army he received his GED in 1952 and achieved the rank of major before retiring.

While stationed at the Orlando, Fla., base, he met Charlotte Ann Somerville. They were married April 13, 1952, and later divorced after 28 years of marriage.

Following his Army service, Paul worked as a plumber with his father-in-law, John Somerville, in Orlando. In 1957, Paul relocated his family to Spokane where he worked with his father and brothers in a logging business.

In 1963, he moved his family to Deary. He later began Paul Ward Logging, which he ran until his retirement sometime after his 70th birthday.

Paul was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He was also active in church wherever he lived. He had a beautiful tenor voice, and led congregational singing and his church choir for many years.

Survivors include his youngest brother Ted Ward, of Spokane; and oldest sister Shirley Jones, of Moscow. Paul also leaves behind his five children: sons: Daniel Ward (Patt), of Nome, Alaska, Dennis Ward (Bonnie), of Deary, Randy Ward (Siri), of Troy; daughters: Karen Rathbun (Phillip), of Canyon Lake, Texas, Kathy Hocking (Mark), of Clarkston. He had numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his former wife, Charlotte Bennett, of Clarkston. He was preceded in death by an infant son Ronald John Ward.

He was buried April 12 at the family plot in Avon. A service to honor his life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at Trinity Baptist Church, 711 Fairview Drive, Moscow, with a reception immediately following at the Deary Community Center.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Gideon’s International or Navigators Ministry.

Short’s Funeral Chapel of Moscow is in charge of arrangements, and condolences may be left at shortsfuneralchapel.com.