Obituary of Dr. William (Billy) F. Ward

Dr. William (Billy) F. Ward Jr., 85, passed away on December 28, 2020, at Greenville Memorial Hospital. Born June 16, 1935, in Sumter, SC, he was the son of the late William F. Ward Sr. and Mellie Wells Ward. He is survived by his wife Rivana H. Ward of Cleveland, SC. He was predeceased by Gloria Guess Ward (wife) and Patricia Fogle Ward (wife). Surviving are brother Dr. Richard D. Ward (Linda) of Toledo OH, Sons: William F. Ward III (Debi), Frederick Wells Ward, Darrin Robert Ward (Stephanie), Step Children: William (Bill) D. Barrow III (Cathy), David A. Barrow, M. Garrett (Garry) Marshall (Beth), Kevin Marshall (Christy), Lisa. D Taylor, Grandchildren: Elizabeth Küpper (Ralph), William F. Ward IV, Austin Ward, Luke Ward, Lauren Ward, Graham Marshall, Kate Marshall, Jacob Marshall, Hannah Marshall, Anna-Leigh Taylor, Jackson Taylor, Will Barrow, Nick Barrow, Brock Barrow, Great Grandchildren: Andrew and Lukas Küpper. He attended Bob Jones University and graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of South Carolina. He received an M.D. from the Medical College of South Carolina in Charleston. He began his service family medical practice by opening Springdale Medical Center, in Springdale, SC, and continued serving families in the Cayce and West Columbia area. He was a staff physician in Lexington, Richland, Florence, Clarendon, and Horry counties. He served with the Veterans Administration, South Carolina Department of Corrections, and various state and local agencies. Most recently, he was employed with Fitness Forum in Florence in the area of occupational health. He also served as a medical missionary in both Liberia and Haiti. His latest mission service was in Haiti in 2013 with his brother. He was a member of both Pleasant Grove Baptist Church (Cleveland) and West Columbia First Church of the Nazarene. He served as a musician, deacon, and Sunday School teacher. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, December 31 at 1 pm at Evergreen Memorial Park in Sumter with Reverend Bill Harmon officiating. Memorials may be made to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church or West Columbia First Church of the Nazarene. On-line condolences may be made at www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.