Joe Pat Ward

Mr. Joe Pat Ward, age 95, passed from this life on February 16, 2019. He was a lifelong resident of Murray and the fourth generation Ward and Houston families to live in Calloway County. He was born on August 17, 1923, to Lexie Ward and Fannie Houston Ward.

He was a graduate of Murray High School, Class of 1941. In the years after the War, he attended Murray State College. In 1941 he married Euple Edwards and they were married 69 years until her death in 2011. In 1943, Mr. Ward left Murray for service in the U.S. Army and fought in three major battles of World War II, including the Battle of the Bulge. After the War, he remained a member of the 75th Army Division and attended reunions every year. He received several military honors, including the Man of the Year Award of the 75th Division and Veteran of the Year by the American Legion.

Following WWII, he became an employee of the Bank of Murray, retiring as Vice President in 1989 after 44 years of service. He encouraged his wife in her founding of the Murray Need Line and continued to work with her in this until her retirement.

After his retirement from the bank, he and Mrs. Ward traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states and many countries on five continents. He passed his love of travel on to his children and grandchildren and encouraged them to see as much of the world as possible. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and motorcyclist, and competed for many years in tennis tournaments in the region.

Throughout his life, he maintained his faith and devotion to his church and served as deacon, Sunday School teacher, and Treasurer of First Baptist Church.

Mr. Ward loved his hometown, his country, and his family, and was a much-loved son, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend through his 95 years.

In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Ward was preceded in death by one daughter, Lydia Ward, who died in 1956; and by his two brothers, R.L. Ward and James Ward.

Mr. Ward is survived by one daughter, Judy Ward Grogan and husband Glen of Murray, Kentucky; one son, Joe D. Ward and wife Beth of Murray; five grandchildren, Leslee Grogan Rose of Nashville, Tennessee, Rick W. Grogan and wife Sheila of Murray, Mitch D. Grogan and wife Kim of Murray, Alison Ward-Brown and husband Todd Terry of Murray, and Lexie A. Ward of Nashville, Tennessee; six great-grandchildren, Zack A. Grogan, Elizabeth L. Grogan, Savannah C. Grogan, Lydia K. Grogan, Elly K. Grogan, Ella Brown -Terry all of Murray; as well as two nieces, Annette Ward Alexander of Murray and B.J. Ward Sanders of Lumberton, North Carolina; and one nephew, Bob Ward.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home with John Dale and Keith Inman officiating. Burial will follow in the Murray City Cemetery with full military honors provided by the American Legion, Post #73. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 18, 2019 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Murray-Calloway County Need Line Association, Inc., 509 North 8th Street, Murray, Kentucky 42071.
Online condolences can be left at, www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com