Have you installed all the updates (i.e. SP's, patches) for W2k & Office?
I think their on SP3 for both. Look for a patern (same users, same computers, same previous applications before the orphaned WINWORD.EXE process)....are there users with similar office functions who don't have this issue (are they using the same h/w and s/w) just some things to look at.

Doug Symes
IT Manager
InterConnect Wiring,LP