Ward E. Sexson

Ward E. Sexson, of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully at the age of 89. Ward was born at home in Indianapolis on March 15, 1933. He was the seventh of nine children born to Charles Burl and Florence Caroline Sexson. He graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis in 1951 where he played football and basketball. Ward also played against his cousin and great friend Joe Sexson who was Mr. Basketball in 1952 for Tech High School. He attended Butler University for one year and then transferred to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana where he graduated with a BS Degree in Business in 1955. While in college, Ward was an active member of Sigma Chi Fraternity from which he has several remaining friends and Brothers. On September 8, 1956, Ward married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Lynn Boatman in Indianapolis.

Ward started his professional career at the William H. Block Company in 1955 where he advanced to Assistant to the Vice President and General Manager before he left the company. He then became the President of Sexson Brothers Coal & Oil until the family business was sold many years later. Ward then worked as a real estate broker at AHM Graves for a number of years before joining Holcomb and Hoke Manufacturing Company where he retired in 1995 as a part owner and Vice President of the company.

He was a valued member and leader of many clubs and associations: President of Door & Wall National Association, member of Rotary Club, member of the Masonic Lodge, member of the Scottish Rite, member and President of American Business Club and Gyro Club (now City Club) and President of the Indianapolis IU Alumni Association. Ward was named Hoosier Sigma Chi of the Year in 2010.

Ward was a huge sports fan whether playing the game in his younger days at Tabernacle or watching them throughout his entire life. He coached both of his son’s youth sports teams and closely followed his grandchildren's participation in sports even the ones in Chicago. Many of the grandchildren endured Papa’s post contest advice even if it was a sport he wasn’t necessarily experienced in. He was an original season ticket holder for both the Pacers and the Colts as well as being an investor in the Pacers. Ward loved Indiana University and it’s sports teams. He particularly loved the basketball teams and enjoyed the National Championship team in 1953 while an undergrad. He and his wife even travelled to the Rose Bowl in January 1968 to watch the Hoosiers take on USC after their last time to win the Big Ten title. When asked by his young son at the time why he was going all the way to California for a football game, Ward responded by saying ‘son they may never go to the Rose Bowl again in my lifetime!”. He got that one right! His greatest love in sports however was the Indianapolis 500. His love of racing began when he was a child and his family built and operated the Speedrome on the south side of Indianapolis. He spent many weekends with his family at the Speedrome. When he was thirteen, his father took him to his first Indianapolis 500 in 1946 which was the first race after WW II. He instantly became a huge 500 fan and never missed a race until this year. His incredible string of 76 consecutive 500s will be difficult to beat. Going to the Indianapolis 500 with Papa every year was a family tradition.

Ward provided his family with love, leadership and devotion throughout his life. He was a great and loyal friend to many. He was always a “finisher” and instilled his strong work ethic into his two sons and grandchildren. He was also known to be a chronic “kidder” and never knew a stranger. He would often “embarrass” his sons when he would strike up a random conversation with a stranger.

Ward loved to travel especially by car but never flying to the western United States. He and Lynn took each of their six grandchildren on individual trips out West when they reached the age of 9. These trips were special and cherished by each grandchild. As he loved the West so much, he pretty much knew every John Wayne movie by heart.

Ward was preceded in death by his parents Charles Burl and Florence Sexson as well as all of his siblings; Maurice Sexson, Pauline Zook, Delores Baker, Jim Sexson, Audrey Van Landingham, Wilma Wallace, Jerry Sexson and Barbara Wiltzbacher.

He is survived by his loving wife Lynn Sexson for 66 years and two sons: Stephen Sexson (Tracie) and Andrew Sexson. He is also survived by his six grandchildren: Corey Sexson (Cassie), Connor Sexson (Riley), Brendan Sexson, Thomas Sexson, Bridget Sexson and Kelly Sexson. He is also survived by two great grandchildren, Chase Sexson and Madden Sexson and step-grandchildren John Scott (Emily), Jennifer Scott, and Jarred Scott and step great grandchildren, Jack and Avery Scott.

An open visitation for all dear friends and family of Ward will be held at Leppert Mortuary Nora Chapel located at 740 E. 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240, on Friday October 28th, 2022 from 4pm to 7pm. A Celebration of Life service will also be held on Saturday, October 29th, 2022 at 4:00 pm at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th Street. A reception will immediately follow the service at Prairie View Golf Club, 7000 Longest Drive, Carmel, IN.

You are invited to visit the website www.leppertmortuary.com to share a personal message for the family or make a memorial contributions may be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America at www.PVA.org/SupportVeterans.