Walter Jay Ward, 71, of Waverly, Ohio passed away Saturday, February 4, 2023 at OSU Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.  He was born June 15, 1951 in Pike County, Ohio to the late Foster and Olive Marie Meadows Ward.  On September 16, 1977 he was united in marriage to Lizzie Ward who preceded him in death on November 24, 2016.  Surviving are his siblings, Ann (Edward) Swafford of Waverly, Virgie McCartney of Canton, Ohio, Amanda Jane Ward of Springfield, Ohio, Henry (Mary) Ward of Waverly and L.T. (Annie) Ward of Chillicothe; son, Donnie (Beverly) Gillespie; grandchildren, Bane and Jasmine Gillespie and Ryan and Brooke Ward; and a daughter in law, AJ Ramsey.  In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by a son, Melvin Ward and siblings, Sylvia Roberts, Charles, James, Andy, John and Marion Douglas Ward and Martha Margaret Potter.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Botkin Hornback Funeral Home in Waverly with Arvil Junior Murray and John Daniels officiating.  Burial will follow in Evergreen Union Cemetery on Denver Rd.  The family will receive friends from 11:00 am until the time of the service at the funeral home.

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