Michael L. Ward Sr.

Michael Leon Ward Sr., of Buefield, West Virginia; formerly of Landgraff and Kimball, West Virginia, departed this life on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 in Bluefield Regional Medical Center in Bluefield, West Virginia.    

Michael was born on the 3rd day of April, 1957 in Welch, West Virginia and raised by his aunt, Beatrice and uncle, Grover Reese.  He was a member of Upland Baptist Church.  He was a 1976 graduate of Northfork High School and a member of the track team, where he had received several awards.  Michael was the last President of the Elkhorn Valley Little League.       

 Michael was a former employee at Welch Daily News, he had worked as a coal  miner for US Steel in Gary, West Virginia; was a McDowell County Correctional Officer, and employed by the Holiday Inn of Bluefield.  Also, he had worked at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant in Radford, Virginia.  For the past 12 years, he was employed by the Board of Education in Welch, as a Bus Driver for the Schools in McDowell County. 

Michael was the Secretary of the Black Diamond Board and had served with the following teams:  Basketball for 29 years, Baseball 28 years and Softball for 27 years.  Also, he had held 22 years of service on the Mercer County Volley Ball Board.  His most favorite saying, "I CALL IT, LIKE I SEE IT."

Michael was preceded in death by one daughter, Kiesha M. Ivy Ward; his aunt, Beatrice and uncle, Grover Reese; his father, Leon Crawley Sr., and one brother, Terrance Crawley; sister-in-law, Linda Ivy and brother-in-law, Jerrod Ivy.  

Michael leaves cherished memories to his wife of 50 years, Barbara Ivy Ward; one daughter, Tiki Ward of Bluefield, West Virginia and one son, Michael L. Ward Jr. (Ashley) of Kimball; his grandchildren:  Giavonni and Guilliann Leggett, Bria Ward and Zalen Ward; his siblings:  Leon Crawley Jr., (Theresa),  Johnny Taylor, Wanda Blackwell, Yolanda Johnson, Crystal Taylor, Tracey Taylor and Doretha Butler; mother-in-law, Janie (Edward) Patterson and father-in-law, Obie Martin; brothers-in-law:  Eddie (Helen), Edward, Jermaine (Shanee) and Carlos Ivy; sister-in-law, Tonya (Dante) Kelly; special cousins, Janet Green and Paul Jones and special aunts:  Brenda (Morris) Ivy-Marshall and Gladys Reed Evans and  a host of nephews, nieces and many other family members and friends.                  

A Celebration of Life Service will be held for Mr. Ward at 12:00 noon on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at The Faith Center Church, 102 Federal Street in Bluefield, West Virginia, with Pastor Dane Moore officiating.  Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, until the time of Service.  Interment 12:00 noon on Monday, October 6, 2025 at Roselawn Memorial Park, 450 Courthouse Road in Princeton, West Virginia.  

Services entrusted to Gregory-Page Funeral Home in Welch.