James “Toolie” Ward died at the age of 91 on Thursday, December 13, 2018 in Hendersonville, NC at the Mountain Home Health and Rehab Facility. No services are planned but the family asks all who knew him to remember what a kind and respectful person he was. He was preceded in death by his father, High Runamus Ward, his mother, Nettie Brown Ward, and his wife of 68 years, the late Mary Shupe Ward.
James is survived by four sons, Jim and wife Diane, Bob, Rick, Gary and wife Debbie, and a daughter, Patricia Coren, all of Hendersonville, NC. There is also his sister, Adeline Bell of Hendersonville, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Toolie, a life-long resident of Henderson County, NC, attended school at Flat Rock and later began his military career in June of 1945. He served with the 71st Infantry Division in Europe. He also served in the Artillery, Air Force, and Army Reserve, as well as the National Guard with 25 years of active and reserve duty with the Army, retiring as 1st Sergeant.
Toolie retired from the AT&T family of communications with over 35 years of work dedication. He was recognized by Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph company for his 12 years of continuous and outstanding educational relations activities performed for the company through the presentations of talks and demonstrations to students in the Asheville district. He was particularly proud of his 30-year award for Safe Driving from Southern Bell.
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