Obituary of Willie James Ward

Willie James Ward “WW” Willie James Ward was born on January 29, 1948 in Faunsdale, Alabama to Edgar and Willie Mae Ward. He was the second child of six children. Ward as he was affectionally known was a handsomely blessed baby. He had his father’s curly hair and mother’s grey eyes. He attended Marengo County Training School known now as Amelia Love Johnson High School in Thomaston, Alabama. He and his friends James and Elijah Hood were the life of the town, if there were a party going on you can bet, they would be there. Ward was a strong willed, and adventurous young man growing up and it was his love for adventure that lead him to joined the military when he was a teenager. Willie James loved his family and visited his hometown often to see family. He enlisted in the US Army; he served two tours in Vietnam and some of the awards he received were National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Three Overseas Bars, Marksman Badge Rife Bar, Sharpshoot Badge. His last overseas tour was Germany. Upon his return to the states, he was station at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs. On one of his visits to Denver he meets Reta which started a six-year courtship. In 1977 they were joined in holy matrimony instantly becoming a father of two children Shawn three years and Keino eleven months. In 1978 they welcomed a son Darnell. While serving in the army his specialty was policeman and detective after departing the military, he found work at Denver Human Services and the Denver Athletic club. His last job was with King Soopers when his health decline and was unable to work, he spent his time being with his family and enjoying his grandchildren. Today we celebrate the loving life of a special man that God put in our lives Willie was preceded in death by her parents Edgar Ward and Willie Mae Ward, two brothers John and Nims Ward and many aunts, uncles and friends. He leaves to cherish his life his wife Reta Ward, Sons Darnell Ward and Keino Taylor, daughter Shawn Taylor. Grandsons Jarrius Ward, Jaylon Ward, Keino Taylor Jr., Ke’von Taylor. Granddaughters Chermetra Keys, Raven (Paul) DePriest, Keyasha Taylor, Ke´aevae Taylor, and Joridan Ward. Three great grandson Jai´Dan Richardson, Demario Gammage Jr., Samire DePriest, Two Great Granddaughters Jai'Monaie Richardson and SaniRain DePriest, Brothers Edward Ward, George (Sherry) Ward, sister Shirley (Eugene) Foster. Three nieces Alicia (Mark) Thompson, Rebecca Foster, Eugenia Foster. One nephew Edward Ward Jr. Three Great-nieces Keilah Ward, Markyria Thomas, and Maliah Thomas. A host of nieces, nephews, brother in-laws, sister in-laws, other relatives and friends.