Joseph W. Ward passed away peacefully gazing into the eyes of his beloved wife and with family by his side on February 17, 2025. He was 75.
The son of William and Helen Ward of Price, UT/Cory, CO, he was born on October 8, 1949, in Price, Utah and raised in Price.
A man of deep compassion and wicked good humor, his twinkling eyes and relaxed demeaner charmed everyone he met. If you were friends with Joe Ward, you were family. If he could not find a way to make you laugh until your sides hurt, he would find a way to scare you instead. He was skilled in virtually everything he tried his hand at and believed you should “Work Hard and Play Hard.”
He married the love of his life and soulmate, Karen, on July 8, 1989, in Lake Tahoe, NV. Together they built a life of joy not only for each other, but for everyone they encountered. Joe was the consummate host, and everyone was a guest in their home or their cabin.
Their gatherings at their cabin in Joe’s Valley were legendary, with friends and strangers alike visiting for horse-shoe tournaments or just to listen to Joe tell his stories. You could tell when Joe and Karen were at their cabin because most of the rest of Reeder Subdivision was deserted. Their cabin was Joe’s favorite place on earth.
He loved boating at Lake Powell, his cabin, his Jeep and side-by-side, but mostly his wife and three children, Lisa (Darren) Mortenson, Price; Bill (Becca) Ward, North Salt Lake City; and Cory (Sarium) Leavitt, Rock Springs, WY; five grandchildren, Molly, Lincoln, Ruby, Kasia, and Hailey; and one great-granddaughter, Billy.
Joe embraced life to its fullest and believed in this simple tenet: “We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.”
Joe worked for Utah Power and Light / PacifiCorp, for close to 40 years and retired as an assistant superintendent. During his time with the company, he was recognized for risking his life to save the life of a co-worker. Prior to working at PacifiCorp, he owned his own business as a painter and was known for his personal touch and fast, efficient work.
He firmly believed in service to his country and his community. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, a volunteer fire fighter, and Elks 1550 member. He was especially proud of his years of dedicated service to the Carbon County Search and Rescue, where he eventually served as commander. He was a proud member of The Wild Bunch of Joe’s Valley.
Preceded in death by his parents, William and Helen Ward; sister-in-law, Kristi Price; brother-in-law, Steven Price; and brother-in-law, John Young.
Survived by his wife, Karen Price Ward, sons, daughter, and grandchildren; his sisters, Nikki (Ken) Koeppe, Reno, NV.; Sandra (Wes) Morlang, Fruita, CO; many nieces and nephews. Special cousin Judy (Rudy) Metelko.
Also survived by his little dog, Murphy, who did not want to say goodbye and will miss him as horribly as everyone else.
Funeral Service Saturday, February 22, 2025, 2:00 p.m., at Mitchell Funeral Home in Price where the family will receive friends Friday, February 21, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and on Saturday one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Price City Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends and family are always welcome daily and may share memories of Joe online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.