Ward Casper Jr.

Ward Casper, Jr., died at 11:40 p.m. October 31, 2025, at Massac Memorial Hospital in Metropolis, Illinois, at the age of 90. Ward was born on Dec. 10, 1934, in New Columbia, to Wilma Pauline Crockett and Aaron Ward Casper. Ward was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a humble man who loved God and loved people.

Ward is survived by his wife of 70 years, Norma (Ethridge) Casper; his daughters, Susan Elizabeth Casper Welch (Ronald) and Barbara Jean Casper Andrews (Daniel); daughters-in-law, Susana Marin Casper and Cecile Quiambao Casper; his grandchildren, Daniel Zachary Andrews (Kimberly Draper), Melissa Nicole Andrews (Nathan Brown), Amanda Lydia Casper Schlicht (Caleb), Jessica Mae Casper Mansilla (Luis), Aaron Michael Casper, and Elijah Nathanael Welch; great-grandchildren, Graciela Joy Andrews, Lucienne Maelle Pagán, Skyla Mae Andrews, stepgreat-grandson, Ethan Shane Derden, Emma Rose Schlicht, Parker Caleb Schlicht, and Landon Thomas Schlicht; siblings, Wilma Leona Casper Bass, Gracie Wandalene Casper Humphrey, Sarah Paulette Brown Wood (Brad); and many nieces and nephews.

Ward was preceded in death by his parents, Aaron Ward Casper and Wilma Pauline Casper Brown; his sons, Michael Alan Casper and David Ward Casper; grandchild, Rachel Michelle Russell Pagán; and his sister, Mary Juanita Casper Castleman.

Ward grew up on a farm in New Columbia and joined the Air Force after high school. After the Air Force, Ward attended college in Los Angeles at Northrop Institute of Technology, where he earned an engineering degree. Ward was an Aerospace Engineer who had an interesting and rewarding career. His first job out of college was working for Martin Marietta at Vandenberg AFB on the Titan II Missile program. He then worked for Boeing on the Minuteman missile program. After that, he worked for Grumman Aerospace at Kennedy Space Center on the Apollo program as a member of the team that sent men to the moon. He worked on the environmental control systems for the Lunar Module that landed on the moon. After the Apollo program ended, he transferred to the F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft division to work with the Navy wherever F-14 jets were stationed. He also worked at Edwards AFB on Grumman's X-29 experimental jet program. His career took him overseas to Iran on the F-14 program, including several deployments as a civilian technical advisor for F-14 squadrons on aircraft carriers, and afforded him the opportunity to travel to many countries. After college, Ward also earned his private pilot's license, and he used to fly the family to locations such as the Bahamas when living in Florida.

Funeral services will be held at 1p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home with Rev. John Spevak officiating. Burial will follow in Metropolis Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the same day at the funeral home. Other arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com.