JANUARY 20 — Eugene “Gene” Joseph Ward Jr., 86, of Farmville, passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2015. He was born in Norfolk to the late Elsie Keeton Ward and Eugene J. Ward Sr. on June 9, 1928. He was married to the love of his life Lee Nell Henson Ward for 67 years.

Mr. Ward retired from Virginia Power as a Division Construction Supervisor after 38 years of service. In that time he worked in the areas of Farmville, Lawrenceville, Fishersville, Fredericksburg and Norfolk. In his spare time he loved flying his private plane, going to NASCAR races with his wife and friends, camping, cutting wood, pulp wood, lumber, fire-wood and spending time with family, friends, to him, no one was a stranger.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, Eugene Joseph Ward III (Beth) and Charles Edward Ward (Robin); grandchildren, Carrie Hamilton (David), Leslie Reccius (Brian), Meagan Gandy (Rawn), and Justin Olson (Lori); a great-grandchild, Claire Elizabeth Hamilton; a sister, Betty Torrence; a brother, Lawrence Ward (Joyce); sisters-in-law, Ann Ward and Joyce B. Ward; and brother-in-law, Melvin Covington. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Robert Ward and Edward Ward, sisters, Nell Sanderson and Martha Covington, and brothers-in-law, Jessie Sanderson and Allen Torrence.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Puckett Funeral Home. Family will receive friends one hour prior to service starting at 1 p.m. Burial will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church, c/o Emmitt Ferguson, 209 Rolling Acres Road, Meherrin, VA 23954.

Puckett Funeral Home, Farmville, is serving the family. www.puckettfh.com