Service Thursday for former county Sheriff Hillmon Bill Ward

Funeral services for Hillmon Bill Ward, a longtime Coalgate resident, will be held Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Brown’s Funeral Chapel in Coalgate with Jack Wilson officiating. Burial will be in the Ward Family Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service of Coalgate.

Bill was born October 25, 1928 to Jack and Laura Mae (Snoddy) Ward at Cairo, OK and passed away June 9, 2019 at Coalgate, OK at the age of 90 years, 7 months and 15 days. He attended Cairo School and graduated from Coalgate High School. Bill was a bulldozer operator for many years and then served in law enforcement as under-sheriff for 7 years and sheriff for 4 years. He also co-founded Ward Brothers Rodeo Company. Bill proudly served in the United States Army and married Billie Jean Lackey February 2, 1957 in Van Buren, AR. She preceded him in death December 5, 1998. Bill enjoyed fishing, Oklahoma Horse Racing and spending time with his family.

Survivors include daughters, Donna Heck and husband Tom of Phillips, Candy Griffin and husband Calvin of Cairo, Joyce Williams and husband Hank of Boggy Depot, Freeda Ward of Tulsa, Stacy Rainey and husband Chris of Byng, Charla Gilleland and husband Rick of Rush Springs, and LeJeanna Fannin and husband Tommy of Atoka; sons, Joe Ward and wife Rachel, Jerry Ward and wife Gaylynn all of Coalgate; twenty-eight grandchildren; forty great-grandchildren; daughters-in-law, Teresa Wilson of Ada and Misty Ward of Coalgate; sisters, Betty Wilson of Cairo, Barbara Girod of Glenpool, Maxine Pulliam and husband Kenneth of Bristow and Melva Thomas of Coal-gate; brothers, Doug Ward of Cairo, Jim Ward and wife Carol of Pittsburg, and Vernon Ward of Fittstown; sisters-in-law, Murl Ward of Cairo, Joyce Ward of Michigan and Betty Ward of Coalgate; special friend Milsa Echelle of Oklahoma City; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sons, Hillmon Bill Ward, Jr., David Heath Ward and Jimmy A. Wilson; brothers, J.C. Ward, Jack Ward, Don Ward, and Burney Ward; and sister, Mary Lou Cravens.

Grandsons will serve as casketbearers and sons-in-law will serve as honorary casketbearers.

Condolences may be sent to the family by email to: brownsfscoalgate@sbcglobal.net. Please reference the name of the deceased in your correspondence.