Ronald Clint Ward, 38

Ronald “Ronny” Clint Ward, 38, passed away April 29, 2021, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Neb. Ronny was born to Harley (Bub) and Helen (Torres) Ward in Libby on July 31, 1982.

Ronny was a wild child and kept everyone on their toes. He loved being outdoors, hunting, fishing, gathering firewood and spending time with his friends and family.

Ronny married young and become a daddy to a little girl — Lexi Thompson — who he adored. On March 27, 2009, he welcomed a baby boy: Lane Wyatt. Ronny divorced in 2010.

In May 2010, Ronny took a job with RJ Corman Railroad Group and dedicated 10 years to working hard, starting at the bottom and working his way up to superintendent.

In 2012, Ronny met Ellie Friede. Ellie, with daughter Jayla, and Ronny, with son Lane, soon became a family. In 2016, Ronny and Ellie packed up their little family and moved to Scottsbluff, Neb., following his job with RJ Corman. On July 16, 2017, they completed their family by welcoming a little girl, Hailey Elizabeth.

Ronny had a love-hate relationship with his job. He loved the people he worked with. They started out as coworkers and ended up as family.

We will never understand why this loving father, brother, friend and hero had to leave us so soon.

Ronny leaves behind his wife-to-be, Ellie, and their four kids, Lane, 12, Hailey, 3, and stepdaughters, Lexi, 18, and Jayla, 12; sisters, Jeanne Ward of Rexford, Shannon (Shane) Patrick of Bonney Lake, Wash.; brothers, Randy and Travis; paternal aunt, Helen Brickey of Simms; maternal aunts, Maggie King, Jo Anderson and Delores Torres of Eureka; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and so, so, so many friends.

Ronny was preceded in death by his parents, Harley (Bub) and Helen Ward; paternal grandparents, Woodrow (Woody) and Mary Lou Ward; aunt, Barbara Benefield; uncles, Lloyd Brickey and Donald Benefield; maternal grandparents, Esteniloy and Genevieve (Enders) Torres; uncles, Donald Farrell, Anthony Paul Torres Sr., Arnold Torres, Richard Torres and Gary Torres; and aunts, Joyce Boon, Rosemary Gwynn, and Kathy Seter.

Whew — such a big family.

Ronny will be cremated and laid to rest in Libby with his parents. A celebration of life in Libby will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be made by visiting Ronny’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com.