Memorial service for Clarence “Ward” Hancock will be 11 a.m., Tues., April 17, at the Inola Funeral Home Chapel with Minister Mike Schroeder officiating.
Ward died Fri., April 13, 2012, at OSU Medical Center, Tulsa, at the age of 75.
The son of Clarence Robert and Vera Victoria (Bates) Hancock was born June 6, 1936, in Quinton. Ward grew up in Bentonville, AR where he attended school and played football and basketball. In 1954, Ward joined the U.S. Air Force. On Aug. 10, 1956, he married Wilma Louise Holland in Bentonville and they were married for 55 years, eight months, and 3 days. After his service he worked for the U.S. Postal service, then worked as a brick mason while going to school at night to learn electronics. His first job in electronics was at Autonetics in California. Ward and Wilma moved to Inola forty-three years ago. He worked at Dorset before starting his own brick masonry business and then went to work for J.D. Young Company. He was a sales manager with the Visual Products Division when he retired.
Ward enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a coach for several of his boys baseball teams, and a member of the Claremore Disabled American Veterans. Once his sons were grown, Ward enjoyed spending time outdoors and fishing. He and his fishing buddy, Doyle Blair, entered many area fishing competitions, and were members of the Inola Fishing Club.
Ward is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma of the home; sons: Robert Hancock and Melissa Collier of Chelsea, Charlee Hancock and wife, Denita of Inola, and Joel Hancock and wife, Lisa of Claremore; brother, Don Hancock and Susan Berry of Centralia, MO; grandchildren: Terry Hancock, Tracey Hancock, Dawne Holmes and husband, Shawn, Montana Hancock, Dylan Collier, Shaya Hancock, Tyler Hancock and wife, Andrea, Bradleigh Riggs and husband, Austin, Haylee Hancock, and Kristy Hancock; great-grandchildren: Jordan, Jaiden, Gracie, and Brigham; nephew, Trenton Hancock; Sisters-in-law: Vera Holland and Lorena Bates; Brother-in-law Vernon Holland; many nieces and nephews; and fishing buddy, Doyle Blair and wife, Deloris.