Obituary – George E. Ward Jr.

George E. Ward Jr., age 99, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 7, 2024 at Hermitage Retirement Community in Richmond. He was born on October 31, 1924 in Leesburg, Va to George and Della (Kirkpatrick) Ward. He graduated from Loundon County High School in 1942 and joined the Army Air Force to serve in World War 2. After returning from the war, he married Anna Lee (Toady) May in 1952 in Washington, D.C.

His Air Force career spanned 27 years as a pilot in the Vietnam War, and he served in Burma in WW2 flying the “Hump” and did two tours of duty accumulating 337 combat missions. George amassed over 13,000 flight hours and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and Commendation Medal. One of his most memorable experiences was flying the “Hound Dog Special” – the flight that returned Elvis Presley to the US after his service in the Army.

After retirement from the Air Force, George moved to Richmond, VA and worked as a warehouse traffic manager at Philip Morris for 20 years then retired for good. His wife, Toady passed away in 2016 after a long illness. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was a great storyteller and was a bit of a prankster at times. George was outgoing and friendly with a heartily laugh. George was very active in both the Episcopal and Lutheran Churches after his retirement.

He is survived by his three adult children and their families including six grandchildren and three great grandchildren: son, Kirk Ward of Minneapolis MN, wife, Sarah and children, Geoff (with 1 child), Meghan, and Lauren; daughter, Pam Price of Powhatan VA, husband, Tony and son, Ian (with 2 children); son, Ross of Mechanicsville, VA, wife, Michelle and sons, Owen and Marc.

Family, friends and others whose lives George touched are invited at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2024 to Trinity Lutheran Church, 2315 N. Parham Rd. Henrico, VA 23229 to celebrate George’s life and to reminisce and support each other. The family is being served by the West Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home.