Ward Andrew Lewis

Ward Andrew Lewis of Talpa, Texas, passed away on February 17, 2016, peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones. His funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 20, 2016, in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Lloyd Hopper officiating. Burial will follow in the Talpa Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Ward Andrew Lewis was born December 10, 1934 in Erath County to Lowell Burton Lewis and Tinnie Viola Gilmore. He had three sisters, Bonnie Marie, Lorene Joyce, and Vanessa Lanell.

Ward lived in many places in West Texas. He attended school in Huckaby and Ranger. He enrolled in the Marine Corp at the age of seventeen and served nine years. Ward was a member of the "I" Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division and served in the Korean Conflict. He was based in San Diego, California, Memphis, Tennessee, Cherry Point, North Caroline and Newfoundland. He also served nine years in the Texas National Guard.

Ward met Lavonda Butts in Carbon, at the age of twenty-four, and they married in Eastland County in 1959. Seven children were born of this union. Ward loved classical music and was an avid reader. He loved history and genealogy. He was proud to learn that Meriwether Lewis was his 3rd cousin nine times removed.

Ward worked hard all of his life and taught all of his children to work hard. He was a stone-mason by trade as are all of his sons.

Ward Andrew Lewis is survived by one sister, Lorene Lewis of Austin, Texas; his wife of 57 years, Lavonda Lewis of Talpa, and seven children, Cameron Lewis and wife Ora of Talpa, Shelby Lewis of Lipan, Wayland Lewis of Talpa, Carmen Cox and husband Morris of Coleman, Melissa Lewis of Valera, Cassandra Lewis of Santa Anna, Quintin Lewis and wife Heather of Three Forks, Montana; twenty-two grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 19, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home, 400 W. Pecan Street, Coleman, Texas.

Please offer condolences to the family at www.livingmemorials.com.