Royce H. Ward, 78, of Walnut Hill, Fla. died Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010 at his residence.
He was a retired farmer and cattleman, born in Escambia County, Fla. on Jan. 31, 1932 to the late Horace and Minnie Lou Morgan Ward. He was a lifelong member of the Walnut Hill Baptist Church, a graduate of the University of Florida, served in the United States Navy for four years as lieutenant, was a charter member of the Walnut Hill Fire Department and was president of the Ruritian Club.
His brothers, Marshall Ward and Ernest Ward, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Ward of Walnut Hill, Fla.; three sons, Brett Ward and wife, Susan, of Walnut Hill, Fla., Horace Ward and wife, Lisa, of Birmingham and Scott Ward and wife, Beth, of Springhill, Fla.; one daughter, Luanne Tharp and fiancé, Bill Henderson, of Walnut Hill, Fla.; one brother, Billy G. Ward of Walnut Hill, Fla.; one sister, Willodean Bingham of Pensacola, Fla.; 10 grandchildren, Heath Ward, Stacey Ward, Morgan Ward, Arden Ward, Zachary Ward, Eric Ward, Megan Tharp, Caroline Ward, Jake Ward and Ben Ward; one great granddaughter, Laila, and many friends and relatives.
Services will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010 from Walnut Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Ted Bridges, the Rev. LaDon Hall, the Rev. James Boyd and the Rev. Jerry Peebles officiating. Interment will follow in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Heath Ward, Zachary Ward, Eric Ward, Rob Faircloth, Bill Strickland and Ross Ward. Honorary pallbearers will be the adult men’s Sunday school class, Howard Shell, Jimmy Davis, Jerry Till, Johnny Till, John Garrard, Jim Van Pelt and George Van Pelt.
Family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday evening.