KEYSVILLE, Dec. 9 – A funeral service for William Cleveland “Bill” Ward, Jr., 87, was held Friday at 11 a.m. at Ash Camp Baptist Church, with Interment in Ash Camp Memorial Cemetery. Mr. Ward died Wednesday, December 3, 2003.

One of the outstanding citizens in Southside Virginia, Mr. Ward became president of the State Bank of Keysville in 1960 and served as president until 1983, when the bank merged with United Virginia Bank and he served as chairman of the newly merged bank.

Among his many outstanding contributions to this area of Virginia was his leadership role In establishing the Southside Community College branch in Keysville on the John H. Daniel Campus.

He was a former chairman of the Democratic Party in Charlotte County and served in the Southside Region Committee to improve and enhance Economic Development.

The Town of Keysville honored him the community service J. T. Thompson Award.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia P. Ward; one daughter, Debra W. Hunter of Appomattox; two sisters. Marguerite W. Radford of Keysville and Elizabeth W. Crowder of Clarksville and two grandchildren