Cecil Ward Snyder, 96, of Winchester, Virginia, passed away peacefully in his home on May 12, 2016.
Mr. Snyder was born in 1920 in Gore, Virginia, the son of the late Thurston Oliver and Lula Mae Snyder. He had a 46 year career as a salesman for Schencks Food Company. Ward graduated from Handley High School in the class of 1939, where he served as the captain of the track team and set several state records, for which he was inducted into the Hunter Maddox Hall of Fame. He was a longtime member of Braddock Street Methodist Church. Among other organizations in which he participated are the Shenandoah Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America, the Winchester Moose Lodge and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Ward was a Veteran of World War ll in the US Navy. He was honored to serve on three different ships, including the USS Hugh L. Scott, which was torpedoed and sunk during the African Invasion.
He married Julia DeHaven on September 29, 1946 and treasured 64 years of marriage to her. Julia preceded him in death on April 4, 2010.
He is survived by his daughters, Linda Snyder Butler and husband, Harry W. Butler, III, of Doswell, Virginia, Stephany Snyder Wisecarver of Winchester, Virginia; his grandchildren, Melissa Gobbi of Kerala, India, Scott Gobbi and his wife, Katie of Richmond, Virginia, Shanda Stacy and her husband, Collin of Tokyo, Japan, Isaiah Walston and his wife, Carrie, and Rami Walston all of Winchester, Virginia; his great-grandchildren, Alexis Gobbi, Ruth Butler, Evelyn Butler, and Austin Butler; and one sister, Lillian Bursey of Beavercreek, Ohio.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Marie Luttrell and Anna Lee Sandy.
Ward was a genuine, kind, caring and selfless man who touched the lives of all he met. Warm memories of him, whether as a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother or friend, will remain in the hearts of all who knew him.
A Memorial service will be held at Braddock Street United Methodist Church with Reverend Frank Sherman, on Friday, May 20, at 11:00 am. Prior to the service, the family will receive friends in the Greetorium at 10:00 am. There will be a reception after the service in the fellowship hall.
Burial will be private at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W Cork St. Suite #405, Winchester, VA 22601 or Braddock Street United Methodist Church, 115 Wolfe Street, Winchester VA, 22601.