Cecil "Billy" Ward Jr.

Cecil Ward Jr. went to be with his Father in heaven on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. Cecil was born on September 22,1928 in Greenville, Texas to Cecil Sr. and Claressa Hurdle Ward. Cecil was a joyful, happy person who loved to talk, laugh and tell stories about things he remembered from his past. He was an avid photographer and like to tinker. He was generous and dedicated to the Lord’s church and anyone he saw in need. He moved with his family to Mineral Wells in1945 and graduated from Dunbar High School in 1946. He built benches outside of the school as a graduation present that stood until a few years ago. Cecil began working when he was 7 years old. He chopped cotton and did farm work. He was an industrious person who liked to be busy. He worked at the Baker Hotel, the local brick yard, the steel foundry and the ice house until he entered the US Army in 1950. In the army he was a lineman,  a tank sergeant, a marksman, an engineer and a radiological instructor. After the military he traveled to California. There he worked for Hertz Rent A Car and later became a carpenter in the carpenter’s union. He returned to Texas in 1978. He owned four businesses in his lifetime; North Oak Texaco, DOTS Service Station, AAA Auto Wrecking and C. Price Custodial Service. Billie as was fondly called by his family loved God, the church and people. He was baptized into Christ in El Paso, Texas while he was stationed at Ft. Bliss. He was a faithful and dutiful member and church secretary at 6th Street and later 6th Avenue Church of Christ. 

His goal in life was always to make things better for the other guy. In 1989 he fully retired from the military and soon after began a new career as a prison guard at CCA, formerly Concepts, Inc. He often said he loved this job more than any he previously had because it gave him the opportunity to work with young men who had never had the benefit of a Christian role model or a father figure in their lives and to be able to share the Gospel with them.

Cecil was preceded in death by his mother, Claressa and father, Cecil Sr., his wife, Frankie, brother, Glen, stepson, Gary, stepdaughter, Floradena and nephew, Kenneth.

Cecil leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his loving memory his sister, Hattie S. Wright, daughter Cecelia-husband Larry Ward Sr., stepdaughter Brunetta Armstrong of California, grandchildren Serena Johnson, Marissa Johnson,  Elijah Johnson, Isaiah Johnson, Matthew Hall, Lajuana Love, Nicole Villa, Larry Ward Jr., Tasha Ward, Divone Ward, Taura Gordon of Nevada, Kyi Armstrong of California, 7 great grandchildren and numerous cousins and friends.

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