Welton Evans Ward passed peacefully from this life April 15, 2025, surrounded by family as they shared stories, tears, songs, laughs, and testimonies.

Welton was born February 2, 1936, in Malad to Joseph Welton Ward Jr. and Gwendolyn Evans Ward. He had a life full of trials, injuries, hard work, heartache, and sacrifice, but he always seemed to have a smile on his face, song on his lips, and a teasing twinkle in his eye. He was blessed with a loving, supportive family, loyal and encouraging friends and neighbors, the guidance of inspired leaders, and many opportunities to serve.

As a young man, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern States Mission. Immediately upon returning, he enlisted in the National Guard.

After serving honorably in the Army, he attended BYU, where he met his beautiful, sweet wife, Trudy Henderson. They were married June 4, 1965, in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple.

After their marriage, they moved to Malad to take over the family farm from his dad. They had ten children: Larry, Lonny, Lloyd, Leland, Leslie, Lyle, Lynn, Lorraine, Loren, and Lucy. He always said he had “one L of a family”.

Along with farming and having beef and dairy cows, he assisted in coaching wrestling, so he could be there with his boys. There he developed a deep love for the sport and a great love for his “boys”, which expanded to include all of the boys that he coached over the years. He prided himself in helping them to not only be good wrestlers but to be good men. He was very proud of all of them. He made many life-long friends with the coaches, staff, and fans that he connected with.

He never liked to see people feel sad or lonely. He had a way of seeing people for who they were and understanding and loving the heart of them. He was a friend to all, no matter what. He always had a dumb joke or some way to tease that got through to people and opened them up to him. He cared for several extended family members with mental health issues and others with physical ailments. He always took time to help others, even if it put him behind or in a bind. The patient way he lovingly, without condescension, reached out and listened to the disabled, the elderly, the widowed, the depressed, and the otherwise lonely people all around him was beautiful to watch.

Music played a big part in his life. He mainly played by ear, and taught himself the piano, guitar, ukulele, banjo, harmonica, musical saw, mouth harp, and many more. He frequently used his gift to bless other people’s lives and to share his testimony of Jesus Christ. He and his family performed at the nursing home very frequently over many, many years, and his Nauvoo missions were a joy to him as he always loved to share his talents.

Welton had a deep conviction and knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even in his final days, he was always sharing his testimony through word or song. He and Trudy instilled in each of their children a love of God and the gospel, an understanding of the importance of eternal family, and God’s love for all of His children. Anyone who spent much time with him could honestly say that he did believe what he said. Welton and Trudy served three missions for their church to the Nauvoo, Illinois mission, as well as serving in the Logan and Brigham City temples as ordinance workers.

Welton is preceded in death by his parents, two wonderful sisters, Shauna Jo Ward Harvey and Natrone Ward Sears, three brothers-in-law, two sons, Larry and Leslie Ward, a grandson, and many, many other loved family and friends.

He is survived by his beloved eternal companion, Trudy, their children, Jill (Larry’s wife), Lonny (Erika), Lloyd (Kristen), Leland (Christine), Lyle (Tina), Lynn (Heather), Lorraine, Loren (Melissa), Lucy (Kevin), forty-eight grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren, three beautiful sisters Marilyn (Leon) Davies, Rosalind (Jim) Mayfield, and Clarice (Gerrold) Burk, Roger (Natrone) Sears, a brother-in-law and their wonderful families, all of whom
he adored.

Funeral Services were held Friday, April 18th at 12 noon at the Malad Stake Center. Viewing was held Thursday evening from 7-8 P.M. and again prior to the service from 10:30-11:30 A.M. Burial followed in the Malad City Cemetery.