James O. Ward

James O. Ward of Washington, Illinois passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at the age of 86. After several months of declining health, Jim died peacefully with his beloved wife Joyce and his children by his side.

Jim was born on August 14, 1935, in Harrisburg, Illinois to Juanita McDonald.

Raised by his beloved grandmother, Ethel McDonald, Jim was an only child, and he spent a lot of time with his Aunt Hazel Guest and Uncle Claude Guest. He worked a lot of odd jobs starting at an early age. After graduating high school, he and his new bride moved to Peoria, Illinois to work at Caterpillar Tractor Company and raise his family. Jim loved his job at Caterpillar and worked there for 38 years.

Jim is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joyce (Gullett); children, Julie (Tom) Lewis, Sharon (Scott) Spillman, son-in-law Jim Shaver, Richard (Kelley) Ward, and Sandra (Joe) Davis; grandchildren, Kellie Herrin, Kevin Herrin, Kacie Van Colen, granddaughter-in-law Julie Shaver, Mathew Shaver, Hayden (Nadia) Shaver, Emily (Joe) Kelch, Elizabeth (Shane) Markham, Joey Davis, Brandon Davis, and Shannon Spillman; and great-grandchildren, Landon Martin, Lily Van Colen, Ezra Davis, Jackson Kelch, Talia Shaver, and Lillie Spillman.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Cindy Shaver and his grandson James Shaver.

Jim worked for Caterpillar with Plant Security. He served on the Creve Coeur School Board, was a Creve Coeur City Councilman, and was a Volunteer Fireman with the Creve Coeur Fire Department.

Jim loved hunting, fishing, camping, and spent many weekends enjoying the outdoors with his young family. He never met a stranger and would spend many hours talking to anyone that would listen to him. His greatest joy was to do for others. He often planned company events and kept it up after he retired.

Private family graveside services will be held on Monday, December 20, 2021, at Hillcrest Memory Gardens in rural Morton. People wishing to honor Jim for his lifelong commitment to family, friends, and the community can make donations to St. Jude Research Hospital, American Heart Association, or American Diabetes Association.