John William Ward

Mr. John William (Bill) Ward, 75, passed away on Saturday evening, January 9, 2010 at Rowan Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. Bill was born in Galax, VA and from the time he entered National Business College in 1951, he was meant to be in the furniture business. His career began at Johnson Carper Furniture Company in Roanoke, VA, where in 1965 he became the General Manager after the company was acquired by Singer Furniture. In 1974, he was transferred to Atlanta, Georgia, as the Vice-President of Sales for Singer Furniture at its corporate offices. After leaving Singer, he continued in the furniture industry, serving for a time as a board member of the American Furniture Manufacturers’ Association. For the past 18 years, he served as President of Carter Furniture Company in Salisbury, NC. He cherished the friends and neighbors he had in Salisbury and considered them a part of his family. Bill was a gregarious story teller, a loyal friend and a loving family man. He is predeceased by his father and mother, Mr. Emmette and Cecil Ward, and one sister, Rowena Manning. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Marie Carey Ward, of Atlanta, GA; his son, Stephen Ward and his wife, Julie, of Orlando, FL; daughters, Susan Holland and her husband Randy of Atlanta, GA and Anne Marie Rossier and her husband Ross of Mason, Ohio. His grandchildren were such a special part of his life. They are Dylan, Abby, and Desi Holland; Shelby and Tanner Ward; and Richard, Jackson, and Thomas Rossiter. He is also survived by three sisters; Georgia Webb (Ted), Ann Largin (Montie), and Pat Rollison (John), and one brother, Dale Ward; his mother-in-law, Ruth Carey; his brother-in-laws, Jim Carey (Jo), Mike Carey (Dot) and Richard Carey; three great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 from 12 PM – 2 PM at Summersett Funeral Home 1315 W. Innes St. Salisbury, NC 28144. A Memorial Service celebrating Mr. Ward’s life will be held at 2 PM on Tuesday at Summersett Memorial Chapel. A Graveside service will be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at Oakland United Methodist Church Cemetery in Galax, VA at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Ward family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

John William Ward

July 6, 1934 - January 9, 2010