Franklin Ward

Franklin Cecil Ward, age 82, formerly of New Edinburg, Arkansas went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 1, 2022, at the VA Medical Center in Little Rock. He was born December 15, 1939 in Helena, Arkansas to the late Monroe and Helen Ward. After High School Frank joined the United States Army and became a member of the 182nd Airborne and was a paratrooper. After his time in the service he went to work for Georgia Pacific. He married Esther Janelle Lisemby Ward December 24, 1960. He was saved and baptized at the age of 23, at Mt. Elba Baptist Church. Mr. Ward retired from Georgia Pacific after 32 years. He was a member of New Testament Baptist Church in Lonoke, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years Janelle Ward, two brothers, William and Joe Ward and a sister Mary Ward.

Mr. Ward is survived by his three sons, Tim Ward and his wife Alice of Lonoke, Larry Ward and his wife Margaret of Kingsland, and Stephen Ward and his wife Beverly of Jonesboro; one brother, Robert Ward and his wife Terry of Louisiana; grandchildren, Daniel (Brittney) Ashley, Brittany (Lloyd) Durnal, Levi, Jackson, Colby (Hannah), Dakota Martin, Tristian (Lindsey), Nick, Rena (Daniel) White, and five great-grandsons and 3 great-granddaughters.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 7, 2022 at Buie Funeral Home in Rison with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Crossroads Cemetery in Kingsland.

Arrangements by Buie Funeral Home of Rison (870) 325-6216.