Billy Charles Ward

Posted: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 ;

Billy Charles Ward, 73, of St. Augustine, Fla., died peacefully surrounded by his wife and family after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) Nov. 24, 2008, at his home.

He was born in Benton, Miss. He retired from the Michelin Tire Co. after 19 years of service. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps 1954-57 as an aviation specialist. He was a member of First United Methodist Church.

He had worked at the Kennedy Space Center from the first stage of the Saturn Rocket Project through Apollo 12 and the landing on the moon. He was one of the few members of the launch team to have his name included on a plaque that was sent to the moon.





After retirement, he and his wife owned and operated the Mountain House Restaurant. He was a member of the Lake Mont community in South Carolina. He was a volunteer firefighter for 10 years in River Falls, S.C.

Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church, the Rev. Pat Turner-Sharpton officiating. Memorials can be made in his memory to Community Hospice, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257

He is survived by his wife, Julia; daughter, Charlene (Ron) Beymer, St. Augustine, Fla.; stepdaughter, Janet T. (Johnny) Austin, Belton, S.C.; son, Michael (Renee) Ward, Anderson, S.C.; two stepsons, Andrew (Vickie) Hollis, Charlotte, N.C., and Nathan (Melissa) Hollis, Greensburg, Pa.; sister, Trudy Babcock, West Palm Beach, Fla.; brother, Henry (Katie) Ward Jr., West Palm Beach, Fla.; grandchildren, Nicole and Alex Beymer, Reagan and Andie Hollis, and Emily and Ethan Hollis.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the team at Community Hospice for allowing him to fulfill his wishes to remain at home surrounded by loved ones. Special thanks to Donna and Christine for their special loving care.