James Ward

James E. Ward, 73, of Chico, Texas passed away Friday, May 22, 2015 in Decatur, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, May 28, 2015 at Victory Bible Baptist Church in Park Springs, Texas. Burial will follow at Sweetwater Cemetery in Decatur, where he will be laid to rest near his son. Briane Jackson and Mark Autry will officiate. Pallbearers are Brian Carpenter, G. W. Carpenter, Kyle Willmond, Tim Wiley, Tony Massey, Trey Price, Ricky Taylor, and Gerry Stone. Honorary pallbearers are Troy (Buck) Conaway and Jimmy Van Hoose. Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at Jones Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport, Texas. James was born September 24, 1941 in Decatur, Texas to Eda Mae (Carpenter) and Roy Ward. He married Darlene Conaway on August 20, 1962 in Lewisville, Texas. He was a member of Victory Bible Baptist Church where he served as a trustee, a Sunday school teacher, and sometimes filled in as a “lay preacher.” He also attended Dallas Baptist Seminary and planned to be a preacher at one time. James also enjoyed hunting (deer, doves, and squirrels), leatherwork, gun restoration, drawing and playing the guitar. He was in several bands, one of which was semi-professional. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Darlene; daughter Janet Ward-Robinson of Chico; stepdaughter Becky Hepworth of Denton, Texas; sister Laverne (Jody) Willmond; grandchildren Caitlin Robinson, Aimee Robinson, Lindsey Miller, Marsha Hardy, Kevin Vollweiler, and Kenny Vollweiler; and three great-grandchildren. James was preceded in death by his parents and his son James Dwayne Ward.