W. Ward Marrs, passed away April 9th, 2021. He was born on February 1st, 1929 in Greenfield, Oklahoma to Zylpha and Elmer Marrs. Ward was the youngest of 4 children, his sister Alma and two older brothers, Vernon and Wayne. He married his high school sweetheart, H. Ileen Barnaby on February 11th, 1950 at the First Presbyterian Church in Wichita, KS. They were active members of the church for over 50 years. Ward attended Wichita University majoring in Engineering, then drafted into the Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. After returning from Korea, he and Ileen had two children, Marlin and Denise. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who will be dearly missed. Ward was married to his loving wife, Ileen for over 56 years before she passed away.
Ward's life long career, following the war was at Southwestern Electrical Company in engineering and estimating projects. In 1964 he became president and co-owner of the company. He retired from Southwestern Electrical Company in 1996.
During his life, Ward enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, woodworking, skiing and traveling in their RV. He was active in several organizations: Illuminating Engineering Society, National Electrical Contractors Association, Masonic Blue Lodge #99, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and Ambassadors Unit of the Median Shrine. He served for 20 years on the Wichita City Board of Electrical Examiners as a Master Electrician.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his three older siblings. Ward is survived by his son, Marlin (Lynne) Marrs; daughter, Denise Marrs; granddaughters, Renée Marrs (Justin Herpolsheimer) and Dawn (Josh) Dodd; and his great grandchildren, Alyssa Dodd, Noah Davis, Mia Davis, Jake Dodd, Kennedy Davis, Phoebe Davis, Natalie Herpolsheimer and Benjamin Herpolsheimer.
A come and go visitation will be available from 3:00PM to 7:00PM, Thursday, April 15th, with Funeral service being held 1:00PM, Friday, April 16th, both at Resthaven Mortuary. Committal service to follow at Resthaven's Cemetery in the Garden of the Lord's Prayer, with Military and Masonic Honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ward's memory can be made to Midian Plane of Mercy, 130 Topeka Street, Wichita, KS 67202; First Presbyterian Church, 525 S. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67214; And/Or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market Street, Wichita, KS 67202.
