Troy Vance Ward

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow, what a ride!”

Maybe you noticed the world got a little quieter and darker Sunday morning.

Troy Vance Ward completed his ride Sunday morning. 

Troy was born on March 6, 1969, in Malad, Idaho, one of the last at the old hospital. He started his journey on the farm in Arbon Idaho, learning to operate and maintain machinery and feed animals. He claimed his love of big machines started when he got to help and run the backhoe to dig the hole for his childhood home when he was little. He drove the Kenworth from the wheatfield to the granary when he was 13 years old. Every piece of machinery was a new challenge to learn to operate and certify on.

He attended grade school in the little two room school in Arbon, one of a large class of six. He went on to the big school in Malad. He then graduated with a welding certificate from the ISU VoTech program. During that time, he took scuba diving classes and met the love of his life, Wendy Whitworth. They were married on August 11, 1989.

He worked in Salt Lake City, Nevada, and Pocatello. They moved to Filer when he went to work for Amalgamated Sugar in 1989, in what was supposed to be a two-year job building a separator. He worked hard to learn how each piece of machinery operated and later became the facility manager. He retired in 2022.

He thrived on helping people better themselves and created many loyal friends in doing so. But no accomplishment compared to his family.

Troy and Wendy were blessed with two children, Whitney and Cayleb, and later, six grandchildren. He loved to work with his family but he also loved to have fun, riding snowmobiles, dirt bikes, and side-by-sides. He also loved to hunt with his family, sky diving, and bungee jumping. He made many trips rock hounding and exploring.

He raced a stock car at the Magic Valley Speedway, earning the hard charger award and the nick name, “Troy Slide-‘Em-Sideways Ward.”

A friend once told him, “Wow, you really live every minute of your life!” Indeed, he did!

He is survived by his wife, Wendy Ward; a daughter, Whitney (Jeff) Harris of Soda Springs; a son, Cayleb (Jordan) Ward of Inkom; six grandchildren, Adaline Jo Harris, Heston Wade Harris, Charlotte Jane Harris, Luke Cayleb Ward, Kollyns Faye Ward, Crew Vance Ward; his parents, Vance and JoAnn Ward; mother-in-law, Linda Whitworth; brothers, Shawn Ward, Larin (Jessica) Ward; and sisters, Heather (Matt) Casper, Jessi (Zach) Tarbet.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, and father-in-law, Duane Whitworth.

Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting the Guestbook below.