Mr. William Francis Ward, 80, of Lake City went to be with Jesus on Friday, February 4, 2022 at the Suwannee Valley Care Center in Lake City. A native of Live Oak, Francis was the son of the late Henry Mattox and Doris Bessie Johnson Ward, Sr. and had lived here for most of his life. He was a grain elevator operator and worked in the grain processing business from 1957-1991 and was a member of Freedom Baptist Church.

Mr. Ward is survived by his wife, Jo Ward; sons, William F. Ward, Jr. (Rhonda) and Ashley Scott Ward, Sr. (Natalie); Stepson Daryl Sargent (Lorraine); stepdaughter Cassi Giebeig; grandchildren, A.J. Ward, Cole Ward (Alison), Cody Ward (Jobeth), Step grandchildren, Kinsley Giebeig, Kyle Giebeig, Kaleb Giebeig (Laurie), Brodi Barona (Andres), and McCabe Sargent; brothers, Mattox Ward and Baynard Ward (Judy); 9 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews that loved him dearly also survive.

Funeral services for Mr. Ward will be held at the Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 4:00 P.M. with Reverend John Weaver  officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 3:00-3:45 before the service. (The family asks that everyone attending please dress casual). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Freedom Baptist Church, P.O. Box 394, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or Haven Hospice Suwannee Valley Care Center, 6037 US Highway 90 West, Lake City, FL 32055.