Billy Gene Ward, 79

CRISFIELD - Billy Gene Ward, 79, formerly of Epping Forest in Annapolis, died of pneumonia on January 13, 2008 at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Mr. Ward was born on June 14, 1928, the fourth son of the late Isaac Thomas and Emma Marie Adams Ward.

He joined the Navy in 1945 and retired after 22 years of distinguished service in 1967. He served in duty stations in Fort Meade, New York, Hawaii, Japan, Germany, London and Washington, DC. He then embarked on a bustling career in restaurant management in Annapolis and Ocean City, Maryland.

Because of his love of his hometown and the Chesapeake Bay, he resettled in Crisfield where he has resided for the past 30 years. His spare time pleasures included boating and woodworking.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, his greatest joy in life was spending quality time with his family and traveling extensively for family visits.

His memberships in Crisfield included the Stanley Cochrane Post 16 American Legion where he served as Post and Vice Commander. He was also a member of the VFW Post 8274 and the Crisfield Elks 1044. He was a long-term member of the Annapolis Fleet Reserve.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor "Lonnie" Katherine Ward of Crisfield; two daughters, Jean Marie Ward-Smith and her husband, Craig Smith, of White Stone, Virginia and Judith Anne Callahan and her husband, Kevin, of Arnold, Maryland; one brother, Jackie Ward, of Florida; three sisters, Helen Wilson of Crisfield; Mabel Twigg and her husband, Bennie, of Pittsville; Nell Bennett of Mardela Springs; and a sister-in-law, Ada Ward of Crisfield. He leaves five grandchildren: Shannon Callahan Pierce and her husband, Chad, of Arnold; John Kevin Callahan II of Arlington, Virginia; Meghan Kathryn Callahan, of Baltimore; Andrew Graham Ward Smith and Eleanor Bryce Ward Smith of White Stone, Virginia. He also leaves four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many good friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Glenn Lawrence Ward; a grandson, David Oren Ward; three brothers, John Irvin Ward, Clyde E. Ward, Gordon Thomas Ward, Sr.; and one sister, Stella F. Ward.

A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, January 26 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in Crisfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Pleasant UMC, Main Street, Crisfield, MD 21817.