Virgil Victor Ward

Virgil Ward, 93, of Amsterdam, MO, died Sept. 13, 2004, at his home near Amsterdam, MO. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660679-6555), Butler, MO, with burial in the Scott Cemetery near Amsterdam. Visitation 7-8 p.m. on Thurs., Sept. 16, at the Chapel. Contributions to Twin Lakes Hospice, 304 Main St., Warsaw, MO 65355. Virgil was a devoted Christian and was married to his wife, Cleda Irene Thornbrugh Ward, for over 70 years. In 1950, he and his son, Bill, began the Bass Buster Lure Company in Amsterdam. He hosted "Championship Fishing" for 27 years on nationally syndicated television. It was the No. 1ranked fishing show for 24 years. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Virgil is survived by his wife of 70 years, Cleda Ward of Amsterdam, MO; one son, Bill Ward and wife, Sue, of Warsaw, MO; three daughters, Barbara Ward of Amsterdam, MO, Karen Wallace Brown and husband, Jay, of Appleton City, MO, and Sandy Curnutte and husband, Dean, of Drexel, MO; one brother, Lloyd Ward of Nampa, ID; two sisters, Alma Ward of Thornton, CO, and LaVerne Grey of Marion, IA; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; other relatives; and many, many friends and acquaintances.