Billy Ray Ward, 81, of McDavid, Fla., died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019 in McDavid.
Mr. Ward was born March 20, 1937, to Thomas Jackson and Clara Luticia Brunson Ward in McDavid, and attended Century High School. Joining the U.S. Air Force, he graduated from from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a bachelor's degree and later retired from the Air Force and Civil Service at NAS Pensacola. He was also a member of both Ray's Chapel Baptist Church and the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club.
The funeral was held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 15, at Ray's Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Nathan Brown officiating. Burial followed at the church cemetery with full military honors and Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Ward is survived by sone son, Donald Ward of McDavid; one daughter, Gloria Ward of Boone, N.C.; one brother, Dewey Ronald Ward of Middleburg, Fla. and one sister, Bonnie Voncile (Joe) Silcox of Crossville, Tenn.; and three grandchildren.
Mr. Ward was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Frances Nadine Carlisle Ward; his parents; two brothers, Grady Leon and Troy Eugene Ward; and one sister, Eleanor Marie.
