Samuel David Ward

Samuel David Ward, 75 of Fayetteville, AR passed away Sunday, November 2,2025 in Fayetteville. He was born April 17,1950 in Espanola, NM to Albert E. Ward and Virginia Mae (Hicks) Ward.
Sam grew up in Aztec, New Mexico and graduated from Aztec High School in 1968 where he was a member of the wrestling team. He joined the Navy following graduation and served with the VX-5 squadron in China Lake, California and with the HAL-3 squadron in Binh Thuy, Vietnam as an Aviation Ordnanceman.
Sam married Betty Batley on May 17, 1969. Betty was his love and partner in all things for 56 years. Together they raised two children, Sonja and Shane. They mourned together the death of their daughter, Sara in 1982.
After his military service, Sam attended Parks School of Business in Denver, Colorado, receiving a certificate in Business Administration. During his working career he worked in a variety of jobs including as an office manager, auto parts manager, and worked for Gas Company of New Mexico as a heavy equipment operator. It was at the Gas Company that Sam started training as an automation technician. After attending San Juan College, he worked for several companies in the San Juan Basin as an automation specialist.
Sam retired from XTO Energy in December 2009 at the age of 60 to attend Redstone College in Broomfield, Colorado. He graduated with top honors and received his aircraft A&P license. He put the license to good use working on a B-17 bomber at the Commemorative Air Force in Mesa, Arizona, where he and Betty spent their winters.
After many years living in the Denver, Colorado area Sam and Betty moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas to be closer to their family in that area.
Sam loved to travel. He and Betty spent four years full time RVing and visited almost every state including Alaska and Hawaii. Sam loved working in his yard and several years ago returned to his love of drawing and painting. Sam had an engineering mind as well as being a mechanic and he always had a project in mind or was working on one.
He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Sara Ward.
He is survived by his wife Betty Ward, one daughter, Sonja Ward, one son Shane Ward and his wife Leslie, one brother Clyde Ward, one sister Cheryl Shelby, three grandchildren, Camille Lawrence, Grady Ward, and Owen Ward. He is also survived by two great grandchildren, Raelyn Karamol and Landen Foreman.
A Celebration of Life will be held 10:00 AM, Wednesday, November12th at New Covenant United Methodist Church 4600 College Blvd in Farmington, NM. Burial with honors will be at Pikes Peak National Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Co.
In lieu of flower, memorial contributions may be made to the Navy Seawolf Association scholarship fund via check made out to: Seawolf Association 9540 Vista Hills Pl Lakeside, CA 92040-5833.
To sign the online guest book please visit https://www.bernafuneralhomes.com