Joyce E. Ward, age 66, of Hamden, passed away Saturday, January 5, 2013, at the Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She was born April 26, 1946 in Vinton County, Ohio to Pearl Knox and Loretta Lanane Knox.
Joyce was a 1964 graduate of McArthur High School and was also a graduate of the Rio Grande College, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in education, and the Ohio University, where she received her Master’s degree in special education. She was a retired teacher, having taught for 30 years, for the Vinton County School District and the Wellston City School District.
Joyce was formerly a very active member of the Vinton County Wild Turkey Festival committee and was given the honor of being the Grand Marshal for the Wild Turkey Festival parade. She attended the Wellston Church of the Nazarene, where she was active in various programs in the church including the Bible School program. She was a member of the Vinton County Retired Teacher’s Association and the American Legion Post 371 Ladies Auxiliary.
Joyce is survived by her mother, Loretta Knox of Hamden; her husband of 43 years, Kenneth L. Ward; daughter, Lisa Tichenor of McArthur; grandson, Adam Tichenor, as well as several cousins and friends, including close friend, Christopher Cram of McArthur.
She was preceded in death by her father, Pearl Knox and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, George K. Ward and Clara E. McCarty Ward.
Calling hours will be Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston. Funeral services will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Wellston Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Jim Griffith officiating. Burial will follow in the Hamden Cemetery.
For those who wish, the family would greatly appreciate memorial contributions be given in Joyce’s name to the Wellston Church of the Nazarene Bible School program. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcwilliams-funeralhome.com