Billy Joe Ward

Billy Joe Ward, 82, of Fort Worth, peacefully passed away in his home on Sunday morning, September 19, 2021. Bill was born in Fort Worth, Texas, to parents Otis and Mary Ward on November 7th, 1938. He attended Irving High School and then continued his education at North Texas State University, Texas Christian University and Southwestern Assembly of God College. From 1967 to 1975 Bill served as a County Judge in Parker County. During that time he joined with other community leaders to help build Campbell Memorial Hospital, construct the Santa Fe Trail, as a major access to the city, established the Parker County Committee on Aging, built the Joint City-County Industrial Park, created the Volunteer Juvenile Court Support Group, and served on the Texas Civil Judicial Council for then Governor Dolph Briscoe. Judge Ward also served on the boards of the North Texas Regional Mental Health Council, and the North Texas Commission of Alcoholism. After his political service, Bill began a career in real estate developing over 5,000 acres in Parker County and built over a hundred homes through his Landmark Realty Corporation. He finished his career owning and operating Prime Source Reverse Mortgage. Bill also served the people of his beloved Parker County in many other civic roles such as: President of the Weatherford Jaycees; Regional Director of the Texas Jaycees; and was a member of the Optimist Club. Judge Ward attended Rockwood Park Assembly of God in his early years, served as a board member of Living Sound International, and was a regular speaker for many Christian groups. 

Bill was preceded in death by his father, Otis Ward; his mother, Mary Rowan; and her husband, Thomas Rowan; and his eldest daughter, Deborah Jayne Ward, who died at birth. 

Bill Ward is survived by his three daughters and their spouses: Teri and Doug McGinnis of Blairsville, Georgia, Shelly and Brad Southall of Bluffdale, Texas, and Staci and Bernie Henyon of Fort Worth, Texas; spouse, Betty Ward, step-daughter Amanda Pope, and step-son Matthew Pope; grandchildren and their spouses, Erin and Cole Bakker, Kelly and Daniel Terrell, Will and Ariel McGinnis, Katlin and Kyle Smith, Hannah Southall, Austin and Emma Henyon, and Abbey Henyon; great-grandchildren, Jackson Bakker, Brantley Bakker, Hunter Grace Bakker, Leighton Terrell, Wiley Terrell, Maggie Terrell, Augustus Smith, Evelyn Smith, and Cooper Pope; sister, Patricia Drake and husband, Jerry; and countless friends and extended family.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Bill “Judge” Ward will be held at 3:00 p.m., on Wednesday, October 6th, at Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel, located at 913 North Elm Street, Weatherford, Texas 76086.

Memorials may be given to Freedom House of Parker County (freedomhousepc.org) to the Crossroads Program as Judge Ward’s heart was for juvenile issues and recovery. The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to all of his physicians, nurses, ministers, hospice nurses and all who he met along his health journey for their kindness and care. May God bless you all.