Edsel (Ed) Rayner Ward departed this life to be with his Lord and Savior on May 16, 2022. Ed lived a blessed life of faithfulness to his family, service to his country, and as a humble servant of Christ.
Ed was born on December 8, 1931, in Opp, Alabama, and grew up in Opelika, Alabama. He graduated from Opelika High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He served 26 years in the military as a computer specialist and retired as a Chief Master Sargeant. Shortly after retiring from military service, he returned to his previous position as a civil service employee for the U.S. Government, eventually retiring as a GS level 14. During his military career, Ed was able to achieve his Bachelor of General Science degree from Troy State University and his Master of Science in Economics from The University of Alaska.
Ed was devoted to the love of his life, Sue, and their four children. He raised his children in a God-fearing, Bible-believing home and taught them the love of Christ through his actions. He served in various areas of the churches he attended throughout his travels. In his later years, he was a member of the seniors’ group at his local church.
In his years traveling with the Air Force, he enjoyed taking his family camping and on excursions. Ed often spent his free time on his computer reading and researching when he was not watching Alabama football. But at all times, he was working to make his family’s dreams come true.
Ed was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Edna Sue Simpson Ward, his son, Michael Ward, and his granddaughter Jacqueline Jamieson.
He is survived by his three daughters, Pamela Jamieson, Kerri Nine (Bob), Kimberly Petrick (Carl); five grandchildren, Jarod, Justin, Emily, Brent, and Dane; and six great-grandchildren.
When asked to describe Papa Ed by his family, the words used most often are family-oriented, loving, generous, gentle, caring, loyal, considerate, polite, consistent, organized, intelligent, sensible, logical but, most of all, nostalgic.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation at 1:00 pm at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home with a service to follow beginning at 2:00 pm. The committal service will take place at Alabama Heritage Cemetery.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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