Barbara Jean Ward, 83, a longtime resident of Porter, Washington, died Sunday evening, Sept. 6, 2020 at her home.

Barbara was born on June 15, 1937, in Hoquiam, Washington to Wealthy Amelia Horton. She attended Hoquiam schools and cut her senior year short to marry William ‘Bill’ Ward in Montesano on Feb. 18, 1955.

They lived in Hoquiam for a while before moving to Malabar, Florida. In 1971, they returned to Grays Harbor and settled in Porter where they lived surrounded by her and Bill’s large family until her passing.

Barbara was a devoted wife and mother and wanting nothing more than to be a loving wife to Bill. She enjoyed her family, collections, flowers, crafting, cooking and canning.

Barbara is survived by her husband Bill of 65 years; a son Robert ‘Bob’ Ward of Tulalip, Washington; three daughters: Cathi (Michael) Reiley of Independence, Oregon, Billi Coates of Lacey, Washington and Jodi Gentry of Centralia, Washington; a brother, Edward (Susan) Horton of Milwaukie, Oregon; a niece, Vicki (Mike) Mattox of Yuma, Arizona; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Barbara was preceded in death by her first child, William Jason Ward who passed as an infant; a brother, Robert Horton and a sister, Wealthy Nadine Otremba.

There will be a private family burial at The Masonic Cemetery in Elma, Washington.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.