Billy Ward

Billy Ray Ward, 68, of Austin, Arkansas, was born September 19, 1947, to Brooks and Ludy (Burnett) Ward, and he died Wednesday, December 16, 2015. He proudly served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, and had retired from Remington Arms. Bill loved the outdoors. He was a hard, stubborn man who refused to give up even though he was faced with many difficult and challenging obstacles.

He is survived by his son, Patrick S. Ward (Nadine) of Austin; sister Joyce Gilleylen of Ward; and nieces and nephew, Jo Anne Wilbanks (Danny), Brenda Price (Adam), Cindy Stanley, Karen Baum, Debbie Martin, David Brooks Ward, Tammy Ward, and Becky Ward.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Eugene Ward and his nephew, Raymond Eugene "Butch" Ward.

Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675.

Family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 28, 2015, at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home. Cremation arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, a certified Veterans Care provider. www.SmithFamilyCares.com