"Joey" Earl Merrill Ward Iii

“Joey” Earl Merrill Ward III was born on September 22, 1960 in Dallas, Oregon to Earl Merrill Ward Jr. And Bonnie Sue (Ricketts) Ward. Following his birth was his younger brother LoRoy. Joey attended Dallas High School at age 17 he joined the United States Navy. He served on the U.S.S. Frances Hammond in the gulf. He loved traveling all over the world and wherever he went would be sure to collect trinkets that represented the country he was in and send them back home to his family. Upon his honorable discharge he began working as a professional painter who did both residential and commercial painting. Besides work, he loved to country dance and in his later years enjoyed cooking and baking. Joey also loved being an uncle to his nephew Steven Ward who he would often play video games with. Joey was quiet and private but enjoyed the company of his family very much. Joey passed away on January 18, 2019 in Salem, Oregon at age 58 after a long illness. He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew, Steven Ward. He is survived by his brother Roy (Marena) Ward in addition to several other family members and friends. At his request no services will be held, private scattering at sea will take place by the United States Navy at a later date. The family would like to thank the staff at Salem Hospital who took such wonderful and loving care of Joey in his final days.