John Ward was born in 1948 to James Billson Ward and Christina Virginia Ward in Michigan.  John was the fifth of five children.  As a child, he enjoyed playing sports and spending time outdoors. Over the years he grew to love fishing and fixing cars.  In 1966, he entered the Marine Corps.  He served four years in the military including one tour in Vietnam as an amtrac driver earning the rank of Corporal.  Following his military service, John drove 18 wheelers, owned a garage, and managed a medical equipment warehouse.

John never met a stranger.  He loved his family deeply.  He was loving, kind, and generous to a fault.  In the way he gave of himself to others, he became the glue that held his extended family together.  He welcomed anyone in and turned friends into family.

John was proceeded in death by his mother (Christina Virginia Ward), father (James Billson Ward), brother (David Eugene Stotelmyer Sr.), and sister (Catherine Virginia Spencer).  He is survived by his wife (Virginia Ward), son (John Walter Ward), daughter (Jennifer Capshaw), sister (Mary Frances Mitchell), and brother (James Ward).   He also loved his many nieces and nephews deeply.

All of John's family and friends are invited to attend his memorial service at the Scimitar Shrine Center (631 West Riverfront Dr. North Little Rock, Arkansas 72114) at 1pm on Saturday, August 10th.  All are invited to attend a meal following the service.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation (www.garysinisefoundation.org), an organization John felt strongly about due to their involvement with veterans and first responders.