Brian Ampferer Ward

Nashville, TN

Brian Ampferer Ward, of Nashville, died peacefully in a sleep at home on July 15. He was 48.

Born July 9, 1968, in Daytona, Florida, Brian is the first born son of James O'Brien Ward, of Memphis, and Susan Ampferer Hoggard, of Nashville. Always a bright child with an entrepreneurial spirit, Brian founded his first company while still in high school. He first graduated from Christian Brothers High School and then Christian Brothers University, in Memphis. He continued his education at Vanderbilt's Owen School of Business, receiving a Master's Degree in Business in 1992.

Over the span of twenty years, Brian Ward built a highly successful financial advising business in Nashville, managing more than $3 billion dollars in assets. His clients included over 70 retirement plans representing approximately 250,000 employees across 49 states. Ward's business, Ward Financial Advisory, was named one of the Best Places to Work by Nashville Business Journal and Business of the Year by Business Leader Magazine. His success was recognized in the form of many awards and honors, including Baron's Top 100 Financial Advisors, Morningstar's Advisor Leadership Award, Chairman's Council Premier Advisory Program; Premier Advisors; Million Dollar Roundtable, and many others.

Brian Ward enjoyed sharing his expertise by way of numerous speaking engagements at national industry conferences, as well as serving as an expert financial analyst for many national media outlets. His interviews were published in the Wall Street Journal, Barons, Forbes, MSNBC.com, and others.

Brian believed strongly in contributing to the local community that had provided him with so much opportunity. Among the non-profits and charities that he supported in his lifetime were Community Resource Center, Rochelle Center, Tennessee Repertory Theatre, SaddleUp, United Way of Middle Tennessee -- Sennet and Alexis de Tocqueville Societies, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, the YMCA Bridge Program and many others.

Brian Ward is survived by his beloved daughter, Chloe Helene of Nashville; mother, Susan Ampferer Hoggard, of Nashville; father, James O'Brien Ward, of Memphis; brother and sister-in-law, Jason and Sarah Ward of Anchorage, Alaska; nephews Drake and Frederick "Fritz" Ampferer Ward, and niece Susie Ward, all of Anchorage, Alaska; grandmothers Helen Ampferer formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Helen Ward of Sarver, Pennsylvania; and many cherished relatives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Minnesota; Vermont; and Massachusetts, and countless friends, colleagues, and loved ones, all of whom will miss his energy, passion for life, ready smile and contagious laughter.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:30am, Saturday, August 6, 2016, at Community Resource Center, 218 Omohundro Place, Nashville, TN 37210. In lieu flowers, the Ward family requests donations to a charity of your choice in Brian's memory.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tennessean from Jul. 23 to Jul. 25, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Brian Ward

Sponsored by Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home - Nashville.

45 Entries

July 1, 2020

You are forever on my mind....great friend, great laughs, many memories. No one will ever compare.
Cam

Your Friend

July 10, 2018

Happy Birthday Brian. You are thought of often. May the peace of the Lord rest upon you and your loved ones. You are still greatly missed.

Gary Mcbride

December 27, 2016

I looked up to Brian the first time I met him! He was like a role model to me and gave me lots of motivation in life as me being only 17 years old!!! I think about you everyday I wake up and wish I could still talk to you!!!

-Your much more than missed

Leslie Freedman

September 26, 2016

My deepest condolences to Chloe and Brian's family. He had a huge heart. xoxo

Jessica Norfleet

August 10, 2016

My deepest condolences to Brian's family. He and Chloe were a huge part of my life for many years. I greatly loved them both and will never forget the special times we shared.

Holly Chapman

August 6, 2016

My deepest sympathies to the family & Chloe. I cut Brian's hair for over 17 years & I always looked forward to his appts. He was so full of life & we had great conversations. He had a brilliant mind & was loyal. He touched so many lives & has left a huge void. It's a tragic loss & he will be greatly missed.

Gordon Nichols

August 5, 2016

To Chloe, Sue, Jim, Jason and the extended Ward family (by blood or otherwise),

Brian Ampferer Ward was perhaps the most unique and gifted person many of us have known or ever will know. He was supremely intelligent, insightful and industrious. Even more than those gifts, though, Brian's love of life was infectious and affected nearly everyone with whom he ever came into contact. He literally lit up every room he ever entered. As such, the very thought of Brian's passing is almost unfathomable. Yet, death is part of life, even when so premature as in this case.

Peace be to you all in the coming days as you, along with the rest of us, try to come to grips with Brian's death.

II Corinthians 4:17-18: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

DK Hampton

August 3, 2016

A life of service to others we all strive to attain. Some excel at it more than others. We pray that others step up so no void is ever experienced and the work goes on. The lost may be profound, but the memories of dear ones like Brian are cherished forever.

Anthony Moretta

August 3, 2016

What a unique individual.
I met Brian in college and had the joy
Of working along side him as a life guard at
Chickasaw Country Club. It was the summer before I went
To Medical School and Brian went to Business school
What a great summer I had and it was all due to Brian.
He was truly one of a kind.
I often quote him with the words of wisdom he often bestowed on me. "It's not a competition, it's an exhibition"
And again, no truer words could be spoken.
Brian was truly an exhibition and there was no need to compete.
To the Ward Family, I am deeply sorry for your loss
But know that Brian deeply affected me and the many that were lucky enough to cross his path.

Anthony Moretta
Or as Brian often referred to me
"The lowproTone" aka low profile Tony
Again, only as Brian could do...

August 2, 2016

Dear Sue, Jim, Jason and Sarah,

Our love and prayers go to you with the loss of your precious Brian.

We always loved Brian 's smile and great personality........he was special.

May God hold you in his hands and lift you up with his love,

Bill and Trisha Smith

Bruce Casper

July 31, 2016

Have such great memories of Brian learning to hunt, fish and become a man. Enjoyed his company on so many occasions, he will be missed. Condolences to all of his family who will live each day without him. God Bless.

Ron and Pat Puhl

July 30, 2016

We send our sympathy and will keep the family in our prayers.

Judith Ward

July 29, 2016

God bless you. You will be surely missed.

Sheila Ferguson

July 25, 2016

To Brian's Family: I was friends with Brian in college and lost touch with him over these 20+ years. I am very sorry to hear this news. I was lucky to have known him. May you all find peace in this difficult time.

John Smarrelli

July 25, 2016

As a CBU alum, the thoughts and prayers of our community in Memphis go out to Brian's family. He was taken from us too soon.

Daoud Abudiab

July 25, 2016

Brian,

I will miss you my friend. You are one of a kind. I will remember you for your gentle personality and kindness. My prayers are with the family.

M Always

July 24, 2016

My Dearest Brian,
There aren't enough tears shed that can describe the devastation I carry along with your loss. You're forever imprinted on my soul and the friendship we had was one of the best I looked forward to. I'm so very sorry for your families loss. There will never be another BW like you or someone that meant as much as you do to me. Thank you for all the fun and laughs.

Kasey Sharp

July 23, 2016

Prayers to all his family. He was a good boss to me and I will always remember his big personality.

Mia

July 23, 2016

Brain ,
I will never forget the first time we met in Nantucket with Adam .... great great memories !!!
we shared a lot together , you always made me smile and you will always have a special place in my heart . My heart goes out to your family !!!
Love Always ,
Mia

Bruce Greeen

July 23, 2016

Too soon my friend. We will greatly miss you. Till we meet again.

Betsy Everett

July 23, 2016

One of the kindest souls I've ever known. Missing you dear friend. Will never forget you.

pamela Folenius

July 23, 2016

Thoughts and prayers..

Kristin Evans Trulove

July 23, 2016

I am so sorry to hear about Brian. I have so many wonderful memories of him and Jason from the annual Campbell Pickwick pig roasts. We had such fun - skied, swam and wreaked a lot of havoc!! My deepest condolences to Jason, Sue, Jim and all the family. Thinking of you all.

Kristin Evans Trulove

July 23, 2016

I am so sorry to hear about Brian. I have so many wonderful memories of him and Jason at the annual Campbell's Pickwick pig roasts - we all had way too much fun skiing, swimming and generally creating chaos! My deepest condolences to Jason, Sue and Jim and all the family. You are in my thoughts.

Andrew Schwartz

July 23, 2016

I will miss you and I hope you arrived at a more peaceful place/ you were a close friend / confidant and the funniest man I know and will ever know- I only saw the good and human side/ and that's all I will remember . R.I.P. My dear friend- with sadness and regrets- your New York buddy!!!

James Bristol

July 23, 2016

I worked with Brian for many years and admired him for all of the good that he was. Brian always did the best for his clients, who he genuinely loved. There was no one like him and I had to love him in return. His passing so young is so very sad, although he experienced a very full lifetime - perhaps two - in those years. To Chloe, Jim, Susan and the rest of the family, and the many friends, I feel deep sorrow for your loss - for our loss.

Al Jennings

July 23, 2016

Jim, I am so sorry. I am praying for you to have comfort.

Tammy Wendel

July 23, 2016

Seashells remind us that every passing life leaves something beautiful behind...

Shaun Micheel

July 22, 2016

Thoughts and prayers to Jim, Sue, Jason and, of course, Chloe. I'm unbelievably saddened by his passing. I'll miss you my brother.

Tom Robertson

July 22, 2016

Brian was like a Son to me. Since I started college with his Father Jim, and shared many dinners with the Ward family, I have know Brian and Jason since they were born. To Jim, Sue, PJ and Jason, my heart goes out to all of you. Brian was larger than life, got more out of life than anyone I have ever know. Rest in peace big guy.

Nancy Boettcher & Family

July 22, 2016

Our prayers and love go out to Brian's family and friends. He accomplished much in his short life. We are so proud that we got to know him and his great family. Rest in peace Brian.

Roy Sellers

July 22, 2016

Brian's energy and laughter always brightened our lives. We were deeply saddened to hear of his passing. All our thoughts go to Chloe and the rest of the family.

T. Tarr

July 22, 2016

Brian was a charismatic, funny, brilliant, giving guy. His loud laugh, recognizable voice and of course his say it like it is style, was all his and he owned it.
I will miss the thought provoking conversations about the vision of our business, the fun times we shared and also just being around a naturally authentic person who did it his way and never thought twice about it.
He once told me - We all try so hard to be this picture of brilliance, political correctness and look the astute business part, but you know what...? If you are true to yourself, true to those around you and true to your business, it will be seen... Don't act, just be you - God Speed my friend..!!

Larry Talley

July 22, 2016

I was greatly sadden to learn of Brian's recent passing. He will be greatly missed at the hunting camp every year. Rest in peace.

Callen

July 21, 2016

I will miss and hurt for you every single day. You gave my heart a smile
Callen

Tamara Panzino

July 21, 2016

Sending all my love to Uncle Jim, Aunt Sue, Jason, and Chloe. My heart goes out to all of you for this great loss.
I was Brian's little cousin, and I called him, "the big one." (mostly growing up when I was tattling on him. lol) I will always remember Brian's huge personality, loud voice, inappropriate comments, and laughter that filled a room!!! I always loved dancing, "the dog" with the entire family. No one could dance it better than
Brian and Jason! RIP big cuz, you will be missed by many.

John & Candy Ward

July 21, 2016

We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our nephew, Brian. Our sincere condolences to Chloe, Jim, Jason, Sue and the entire family. RIP Brian.

Chris Ward

July 21, 2016

Being one of the younger members of the Ward clan, I missed knowing my cousin as I should have. Just like my dad, we are never prepared for a sudden passing. God Bless.

Carol Campbell

July 21, 2016

My sincerest condolences to the family. My prayers are with you. May God bless and keep you through this time of grieving.

Jeff Hopmayer

July 21, 2016

My thoughts and prayers are with Brian's family and friends. I will miss him and his robust love to live life to the full extent with tremendous generosity to others.

Dianne Elder

July 20, 2016

To Brian's family.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Brian meant the world to me. I will forever miss him.
Peace be with you always. ❤

Michele Owsley

July 20, 2016

I am so sorry and shocked to hear of Brian's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, but I'm especially thinking about Chloe. (I was her preschool teacher.)

Yaqub Ahmed

July 20, 2016

Brian was such an authentic person with an enormous personality and generosity to match. His big laugh and smile always filled any room.
You left us too early.

Brad Simcik Family

July 20, 2016

Brian was a wonderful person who we will miss. We remember visiting Nashville and taking him and a friend to the movies way back in 1982. The boys enjoyed showing us around the property where the house would be built. Brad remembers their pet snakes. Recently he was so kind to rent us a limo and give us the celebrity of Memphis when we were there for Helen's birthday! That was something Jill and Karen will never forget. We are thinking of you, Sue, Jason, Jim and family, this is an incredible loss. Love, Brad, Karen, Jill, &Ben

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