James Elmer Ward

James "Jim" "Elmer" Ward, 78, of Owensboro, Kentucky, died Sunday, May 18, 2008, at his daughter's home, Patty Booth. Mr. Ward had been a self employed Pipe Line Welder for 50 years with contracts including Western Kentucky Gas, Texas Gas and Orbit Gas. He was a member of Thruston United Methodist Church, was a fixture at the Corner Caf, an avid tinkerer who enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Louise Lancaster Ward; his parents, Grover C. and Frankie Westerfield Ward, a daughter, Sandra Wigginton, two brothers, Willis C. Ward and Dallas Ward and a sister, Marvadeen Ward.

Survivors include his sons, Randall G. Ward, Billy Dale Ward and his wife Debi all of Owensboro, and Paul Gauselman and his wife Yvonne of Pleasant Ridge; daughters, Debi Bogle and her husband Dickie of Auburn, KY, Patty Booth and her husband Billy of Owensboro, Carol Coons and her husband John of Thruston, and Linda Warren and her husband Darryl of Owensboro; a brother, Robert Lee Ward and his wife Elsie of Shelbyville; a son-in-law Terry Wigginton of Masonville; 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and a niece, Patty Ward of Shelbyville.

Services will be held at noon on Wednesday at Glenn Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and after 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Cates Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the St. Joseph's Peace Mission for Children.