Mr. James Edward Ward, 78, of Jonesborough passed away Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the James H. Quillen Veterans Administration, Johnson City, TN.

Mr. Ward was a native of Fayetteville, NC and son of the late George B. and Mary Sutton Ward. He was also preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.

He was a member of Boones Creek Bible Church.

Mr. Ward served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War. He made world news and appeared on Life Magazine for being legally, the youngest sergeant to be in the U.S. Army since he had joined the service at age 14. Mr. Ward received numerous service awards including the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Army of Occupation Medal with Japan clasp, Korean Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, United Nations Service Medal, Silver Star, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit-Citation Badge and Korean War Service Medal. He was a “hero” before his time.

Mr. Ward was employed by the Southeastern Foundry Corporation as a pattern maker
and retired after 55 years of service.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret “Lucy” Ward of the home, four sons, Ed Ward Jr. and Ted Ward, both of Greensboro, NC; Robbie Ward, North Carolina; Matt Middleton, Fayetteville, NC; two daughters, Melissa Nieves, High Point, NC and Penny Collier, Jonesborough, TN; one sister Joann Ward Rouse, La Grange, NC.; ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 5:00 PM, Sunday, April 21, 2013 at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home with the Rev. Dale Cunningham officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 5:00 PM prior to the service.

Interment services will be conducted on Monday, April 22, 2013, 10:45 AM at the Veterans Administration, Mountain Home, TN.