Gilbert Ward

Gilbert was a hard working man, coming from a tough young life in farming country,  Indiana.  He had a full career with the Air Force, meeting and marrying his wife, Joyce, while stationed at Lowry AFB, in Denver, working on the Atlas Missiles, in Cheyenne,  Minuteman Missiles,  in North Dakota, flying missions in the B-52 working with the radar and radio equipment out of Oklahoma and spent almost a year in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.  He had many postings all around the U.S., from the Gulf Coast to California,  and his family was always his primary motivation for his work ethic and accomplishments.  Gil and Joyce’s three children were born all in different States and were raised having the influences of devoted parents and a Christian upbringing.

Having finished High School after enlisting, he later decided to take night classes at Texas Lutheran College and earned a Bachelor of Business degree during the last few of his Air Force years, where he retired as a Senior Master Sergeant at Randolph AFB, San Antonio.

Immediately upon his retirement, Gil went straight to work for Hewlett-Packard and had another full career installing and servicing computers, beginning  in Texas.  He was soon promoted and offered a position in Atlanta.  He and his wife have spent over 40 years in the Atlanta area.

He’s been an avid Ham Radio operator and an active member of MARS (Military Affiliated Radio System) for many years, continuing until most recently with the MARS program, now affiliated with Homeland Security and the civil defense.

Long after his Air Force life, he became a civilian pilot and his Cessna’s and his Grumman were his passion.  Many of his close friends, family and neighbors were taken on plenty of joyrides all over the South.

Gilbert never met a stranger and those that new him, loved and appreciated his generosity and forthrightness. He was an upstanding man of his word. Moreover, a devoted Christian father and husband.

He and his surviving wife Joyce are long time members of Mt Paran Church North after settling here 41 years ago from San Antonio Texas.

Gilbert was predeceased by his parents Roland and Ruth Ward and a daughter Karen Kelly. In addition to his wife Joyce, Gilbert is survived by sons Stephen and Kevin and brothers John Ward, Dave Ward, Gerald Ward, Robert Manning and Collin Manning. He is also survived his six grandchildren Christine Jones, Viviana Arias, Kevin Ward Jr., Christina Ward, Daniel Ward, and Monique Ward. In addition Gilbert is the great grandfather to 18 great grandchildren.

A funeral service is planned for Wednesday October 13 at 1:00pm preceded by a visitation from 11:00am until the funeral hour, all at Canton Funeral Home. Interment will take place immediately after funeral service in Macedonia Memorial Park.

Canton Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Gilbert James Ward.