Ward Dubois Goodell, 89, of Redfield, SD, died Monday, May 13, 2013 at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield. His funeral will be Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Redfield. Reverend Stephen Perry will officiate. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be Wednesday from 2-7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5-6:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Ward was born September 8, 1923 to Leon and Cora (DuBois) Goodell in Redfield. He graduated from Redfield High School in 1942 and immediately enlisted in the United States Navy. He was sent to Jacksonville, FL where he served as a flight engineer with the PBY's patrolling the east coast of the United States and later the coasts of Australia and Admiralty Islands.

Ward married Helen Lewis on June 11, 1943 in Jacksonville. After his discharge, the family moved back to Redfield. He went to work as a construction lineman, in June, 1947, for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. In 1953, he was moved to Directory Advertising Salesman. In 1954, he was promoted to Business Office Manager. He held that position serving Watertown, Sioux Falls, Ellsworth Air Force Base and Omaha. While in Omaha, he met and married Georgia Urban on December 12, 1964.

He was a member of the Nebraska No 1 Master Masons, Omaha Scottish Rite, Tangier Shrine, Redfield Blue Lodge, VFW and American Legion.

Ward enjoyed fishing hunting, watching John Wayne movies and Nebraska football. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

Ward is survived by his wife of forty-eight years, Georgia, his children: Fred (Kathleen) Goodell of North Platte, NE; Leon (Deb) Goodell of Billings, MT; Mark (Jann) Goodell of Billings, MT; David (Tami) Goodell of Albert Lea, MN; and Patricia (David) Miller of Omaha, NE. He is also survived by his fifteen grandchildren, thirty-two great grandchildren and one niece Julie Donley of Tennessee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Helen, his half brother George, his half sister Gertrude and a granddaughter Angela Lynn.