John William Ward, 68, of Batesville passed away Friday, February 7, 2025.
He was born March 23, 1956, in Marion, Ohio to Robert Donald Ward and Marjorie Louise Wynd Ward.
John served 35 years with Arkansas Legislative Audit and was a deacon at North Heights Church of Christ. He enjoyed telling jokes, making people happy and never met a stranger. He also enjoyed traveling, going to Disney and on cruises, visiting Ohio and being at Lakeside. John liked gardening, cooking, fishing, foosball and doing anything with his family.
He loved listening to 70’s rock, Jethro Tull, ”Holy, Holy, Holy”, ”It Is Well With My Soul”, and countless others. John was always singing and would turn up the music in the basement and sing to the girls upstairs. John also enjoyed cooking homemade pizza and jalapeno poppers and reading, studying and learning all he could from the Bible.
John loved God, his family and his church family. The Batesville community has always been family to him. He wants everyone to make sure they know Christ. One of his favorite passages he wanted to share is the entire chapter of Romans 6, specifically verses 3-5.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon Wright Ward of the home; three daughters, Sarah Jarvis (Ben) of Little Rock, Stephanie Platt (Hunter) of Batesville and Shelby Hill (Brandon) of Batesville; two brothers, Bob Ward (Denise) of Pennsylvania, Dick Ward (Janet) of Ohio; one sister, Debbie Inman (Bo) of Ohio; brother-in-law, Myron Buczak of Ohio; mother-in-law, Sarah Drucilla ”Drue” Wright of Alabama; eight grandchildren, Ollie (Sabine) Kwizera, Caden Platt, Zander Jarvis, Aubrey Platt, Corrie Jarvis, Kenzie Platt, Lottie Jarvis and Finnley Hill; one great-grandson, RJ Kwizera and more family and friends than we can list. He was also looking forward to meeting his first great-granddaughter in another week.
He is preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Susie Buczak; one grandson, Jean Yves Ishimwe and his father-in-law, Doyal Wright.
Pallbearers are Jesse Cargill, Zach Harber, Josh McIntosh, Ryan Moody, David Reese and Luke Williams.
Graveside services will be held Monday, February 10, 2025, at 2:00 pm under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home at Kyler Cemetery with Alex Mills officiating.
Following the services, a gathering of remembrance will be held at the North Heights Church of Christ at 4:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to North Heights Church of Christ Youth Group, 200 Warrior Road, Batesville, AR, 72501.
