William "Coach Ward" Burton Ward Sr.

Ward considers his life’s career in athletics as his greatest achievement because through it he enjoyed the relationships with other coaches and players. He feels he might have helped many of his players to be more productive citizens. Coach Ward continued to have a special relationship with his former players who called, wrote or visited him often.

Coach Ward was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Upper Room Sunday School Class and served on the Pastor-Parrish Relations Committee. He helped organize the first Upward Basketball Program in Booneville, served on the Board of Directors for Booneville Golf and Country Club and the Booneville Boys and Girls Club. In 2007 he was named the Outstanding Citizen by the Booneville Junior Auxillary. He was a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner and chairman of the committee formed to gain approval for and erect a monument in memory of the soldiers of Booneville’s Dixie Division of the National Guard.

He is survived by three children, Jimmie Ellen “Gigi” Ward Brumley and her husband Charles, Bill Ward, Jr. and his wife Paula, and John Andy Ward and his wife Rebecca. Seven grandchildren, Ashley Catherine Brumley Bennett and her husband Bo, Emily Ward Johnson and her husband Brian, Patrick Brumley and his wife Savannah, Trey Ward and his wife Leslie, Trent Ward, Anna Kathryn Ward and Jay Ward. Eight great-grandchildren, Ward Johnson, Cailyn Johnson, Mary Ellis Johnson, Catherine Brooks Bennett, Caroline Bennett, Landry Rose Ward, Anne Braxton Ward and Mary Charles Brumley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 58 years, Mary Anne Gullett Ward, one brother Milton Ward and one sister, Willie Jean Ward.

Pallbearers: Patrick Brumley, Trey Ward, Trent Ward, Jay Ward, Brian Johnson, Ward Johnson.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Tiger Den Coffee Club members.