Eugene "Bill" Ward

He retired from the U.S. Navy after 20 years of service, during which time he served aboard aircraft carriers and destroyers.

He was of the Christian faith.

Mr. Ward was a lifetime member of V.F.W. Post No. 1990 and a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans.

He loved his family and enjoyed golfing as long as his health permitted.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years: Joann Murray Ward; two sons and daughters-in-law: Ricky and Johnna Ward of Greeneville, and Billy and Miranda Ward of the Cedar Creek Community; three granddaughters and their spouses: Kristin and Dwayne Thomason, Shasta and Ben Stewart, and Shiana Ward; one grandson: Ricky Ward Jr. and a granddaughter-in-law: Rhonda; six great-grandchildren: Jeremy Jenkins, Alora, Victoria, and Cholie Thomason, Bryant Ward and Benly Stewart; a brother and sister-in-law: Oscar and Ann Ward of the South Greene Community; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Jewell and Mack Hughes of Greeneville, Wanda and Wayland Graham of Jonesborough, Jack and Phyllis Murray of Salem, Ala., Max and Shirley Murray and Eugene and Betty Murray of Greeneville; and several nieces and nephews, including a special nephew and niece: John B. and Jane Murray of Ellijay, Georgia.

He was the son of the late Lawrence and Josephine Ward and was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Ward, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Ida Murray.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Monday at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home.

The funeral service will follow visitation at 8 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.

The Rev. Jim Fillers and the Rev. Willis Bowers will officiate.

Family and friends are asked to meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home to go in procession to GreeneLawn Memory Gardens for a 3 p.m. committal service.

The Greene County Honor Guard and the U.S. Navy Military Honors Team will conduct a military graveside service.

Pallbearers will be Ricky Ward Jr., Dwayne Thomason, Ben Stewart, Jeremy Jenkins, Mike Ward, Tim Ward, John B. Murray, Kristin Thomason, Shasta Stewart and Shiana Ward.

The family expressed a special thanks to Hillard and Shirley Thomas, James and Charlene Tweed, Ronald and Inez Humphreys, Dale and Katie Luttrell, Don and Doris Jenkins, Chris and Donna Ricker, Willis and Trixie Bowers, The Iris Society, Dr. Dharman Patel and staff, Dr. Kevin Toppenberg and staff, and Laughlin Home Health staff and Smoky Mountain Hospice staff.