Walter Gene Ward

Walter “Gene” Ward, 88, passed away November 9, 2025, at home surrounded by his family. He was born in 1937 to Walter and Catherine Mobley Ward in Waynesboro, where he remained his whole life. He graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1954 and joined the Army National Guard the following year. His six years of service included time at Fort Bliss, Fort Gordon, and the Berlin Crisis. In 1962, Gene joined the start-up team for the Augusta Proctor and Gamble plant where he fulfilled many roles including packing room labor, lab work, and ultimately main office cost accounting. His fondest role at P&G was the day he served as a tour guide during which he met his future wife, Dale. He retired from P&G in May of 1995 and became a full time “Pop”, his favorite job of all.

Gene was always busy and loved to be involved. He served as a member of the Edmund Burke Academy Board of Directors and Booster Club and volunteered annually to band birds at the local Georgia Field Trials. He was an active member of the Waynesboro American Legion Post 120 for nearly 20 years and served as post commander for a period of that time. Gene was always a loyal fan of the Georgia Southern Eagles. In addition to being a long-time season ticket holder, he served on the GSU Booster Club Board of Directors. On any given day you could find him out and about running errands, hunting, fishing, and doing anything and everything his grandkids wanted.

In addition to his parents, he is proceeded in death by his brother, John Ward.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Dale Ward; his son, Dorroh Harrison (Hadley); three grandchildren: Elizabeth Broxton (Jonathan), Abby Taylor Harrison, and Blake Harrison; and three great grandchildren: Brooks Broxton, Blain Broxton, and Brandt Broxton.

The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 am on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the funeral home with a Memorial Service immediately following in the chapel with Rev. Terri Degenhardt and Bill Lively officiating.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to Josephine for the love and support she provided over the past several months, and to Laura Kathryn Jenkins and Chasity Hamilton of Regency Hospice for the exceptional care they graciously provided.

If desired, memorials can be made to Edmund Burke Academy’s Building Fund or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

DeLoach-McKerley-Prescott Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 220 East 6th Street, Waynesboro, GA 30830 (706-554-3531). You may sign the guest book at www.deloachfuneralhomes.com.