Norval Walter Ward

“Once a Marine, Always a Marine”.

Norval Walter Ward passed away on Sunday October 10th at 5:40 PM in his home in Holly Ridge, North Carolina.

Norval was a family man who had many loves in his life: foremost his wife of 42 years, Teresa Ward (Freeman). He is survived by six children: Dentina Ward, James Ward (Amanda), Robin Ward (Chris), Rebekah Robards (Ben), James Massengill (Rita) and Dennis Massengill (Kimberly), 12 Grandchildren, 11 Great grandchildren, brother Bill Ward (Kathy), sisters: Anita Burkhalter, Patty Ruth (JR), and Denelda Frank (Chuck) and brother in-law James Freeman.

Norval was preceded in death by his father: William Denton Ward, mother: NeldaRose Klier Barmes, step-father: Leland Barmes and daughter: Tanya Marie Adams.

Norval was proud of his service in the Marines as a Vietnam Combat Veteran. He loved to fish whether it be pier fishing or deep-sea fishing, the amazing woodworking that he did for everyone, loading his own ammunition for his pistols to do his target practice, his 1960 Ford Thunderbird and the Vintage Thunderbird Club of which he was a member for 26 years, working on old cars, camping and traveling in his RV, music, Camp LeJeune Marine Corp Base, watching and talking about boxing, and his dog, Sadie.

Norval never met a stranger and would carry on a conversation with anyone who ever had the pleasure to talk to him about any topic they wanted to discuss. He was a kind, gentle person who loved meeting new people and making them a part of his family. To a great many people, he was “dad” or “pappaw”.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 19 from 4 to 8 PM at Flanner Buchanan – Washington Park East, 10722 E. Washington St, Indianapolis.  Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, October 20 at 10:30 AM at the funeral home.  Entombment with full military honors will follow at Washington Park East Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made in his name to the Museum of the Marine in Jacksonville, NC.  http://museumofthemarine.kindful.com/ or send checks to Museum of the Marine, In Honor of Norval Walter Ward, 907 LeJeune Blvd., Jacksonville, NC 28541.