James “Jim” Ward was born on February 4th, 1937 to parents Taylor and Ruby Ward. He was the fourth of eight children. He is survived by Faye Stinnett of Jackson. Missouri, John Ward of Mansfield, Louisiana, Ross Ward of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Jerry Ward of Jackson Missouri, Areva Chesser of Jackson Missouri, and Sally Brinkley of Paragould Arkansas. His older brother Gene Ward proceeded him in Death in 2016.
Jim married Claudette Trotter on January 8th, 1959 and were married for 38 years before her passing. He married Billie Joe Walker Duncan on August 15th , 1997 and they were married for 20 years until her passing in 2017.
Jim is survived by 3 sons and 3 daughters; Keith Ward of Lubbock, Russ Ward and wife Kay of Greenville, TX , Lance Ward and wife Jamie of Lubbock . Donna Justice of Lubbock, Renee Smith and husband Keith of Lubbock, and Jamie Duncan of Lubbock. Kathi Anderson proceeded him in Death January of 2020. He has 11 grandchildren, 6 Great Grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Jim graduated from Valley View High School in 1955. The next year he joined the Air Force, later transferring to Reese Air Force Base to work in the Flight Surgeon office as a corpsman. He began working nightshift at Methodist Hospital where he met his first wife Claudette. His primary profession after leaving the Air Force was finance and lending services working for Barclay’s Bank and later for ABC Bank for a combined 33 years.
Jim has been a faithful member of the Lord’s Church his entire life helping start the West End Church of Christ congregation in 1958. This group of Christians have met in 4 different locations since inception and he has been a constant faithful servant and spiritual leader during his tenure in Lubbock, Texas. He will be sorely missed by the Christians who meet at Milwaukee Avenue Church of Christ and by all of those who both knew and loved him.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Beyond Faith Hospice.
