James E. Ward

James "Jim" Ward passed peacefully on Tuesday February 17, 2026, with family by his side. He is preceded in death by his parents George Sr & Mary (McLaughlin) Ward, his brother, George Jr.(Trudy), sister Mary Dooley (Leo) and son-in-law David Smith.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Kathy and his childrenJamie Smith, Lewis Ward (Sandra), Shane Williams(Sharon), and Leanne Bulla (Andy), as well as his grandchildren whom he took great pride in, Jesse Smith (Taylor), Jacob Smith (Amethyst), Breijanna Ward, Isabella Ward, Karyna Ward (Connor), MacKenzie Williams (Mike), Gabrielle Williams, Claire Bulla & Jack Bulla, and 5 great grandchildren. 

Jim served in the United States Navy from 1962-1965 aboard the USS Midway where he was a radarman and reveled in the fact that he could write upside-down and backwards.  This skill he put to use later in life when writing letters to his family.

After being discharged Jim worked for Bell Telephone (Verizon) for 37 years where he met his long-time best friend/brother John Shevlin. And what a pair they made, keeping everyone around them entertained with jokes and 1 liners. He also worked for Atco Speedway, painting the numbers on the cars, a job he truly loved. 

Jim was an avid reader, his favorite author being Clive Cussler, and anything having to do with military history.  He also had a great love for music, which he passed down to his children and grandchildren in the form of carefully thought-out play lists

**Due to the impending winter storm funeral services have been rescheduled**

Family and friends are invited to attend Jim's viewing on Sunday, February 22nd from 2:00 -3:00 PM at the Bell-Hennessy Funeral Home, 420 S. Main St., Williamstown. Time of Remembrance will follow at 3pm

Interment with Military Honors will take place 2:00 PM Tuesday, February 24th at the Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Williamstown.

To all his final words...."It's good to be the king"

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