Cecil Duard Ward - born: May 1, 1912
Cecil is the fifth child of Daniel "Dolph" Rodolph and Fannie Boydstun Ward. He was born in Beaver County, OK. In Homer Ward's memoirs he described his brother Cecil as "He added to the zest of the household. If everything didn't go to suit him rather peculiar whims he would let it be known by his lusty bellows and constant weeping. As he grew older and could see the advantages of this approach to get his he developed a very definite skill along this line. In fact, he became so clever in the use of this weapon that he would threaten us with it in an attempt to have his way."
Some refer to Cecil as the black sheep of the family. He moved to Denver when he was in the 8th grade when his parent's separated. He moved with his mother Fannie from a small Oklahoma farm and was thrown into the big city - which was quite a culture shock. He adapted and developed a special ability to play the steel guitar and begin to associate himself with other musicians. He played in bars and "questionable dance parlors"
Cecil served his country and saw action during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He crossed with the invasion forces under General Mark Clark, from Africa to Sicily, taking part in the invasion of Italy and the Southern coast of France. He suffered ill health from the things he was subjected to in behalf of his country. In his later years he was able to survive on a small pension and lived a lonely life.
Cecil's wife Cleo died while he was in Korea. He was discharged from the army with a disability and was in numerous Veterans Hospitals. He lived for a number of years in Forgan, OK. He was baptized into Christ on his 60th birthday and attended the Church of Christ faithfully in Forgan until moving to Claude, TX (Veterans Hospital) where he died on March 13, 1978 at the age of 66.
Some refer to Cecil as the black sheep of the family. He moved to Denver when he was in the 8th grade when his parent's separated. He moved with his mother Fannie from a small Oklahoma farm and was thrown into the big city - which was quite a culture shock. He adapted and developed a special ability to play the steel guitar and begin to associate himself with other musicians. He played in bars and "questionable dance parlors"
Cecil served his country and saw action during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He crossed with the invasion forces under General Mark Clark, from Africa to Sicily, taking part in the invasion of Italy and the Southern coast of France. He suffered ill health from the things he was subjected to in behalf of his country. In his later years he was able to survive on a small pension and lived a lonely life.
Cecil's wife Cleo died while he was in Korea. He was discharged from the army with a disability and was in numerous Veterans Hospitals. He lived for a number of years in Forgan, OK. He was baptized into Christ on his 60th birthday and attended the Church of Christ faithfully in Forgan until moving to Claude, TX (Veterans Hospital) where he died on March 13, 1978 at the age of 66.
