Stanley David Ward

Stanley David Ward, 77, of Leicester, NC, passed at the Solace Center in Asheville, NC on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
Stanley graduated from Marshall High School in 1964. After graduation he attended Western Carolina University and graduated in 1968. Later, during his teaching career, he obtained his Master's Degree from WCU.
Mr. Ward retired as a teacher from the Buncombe County School System in 1997. He was a beloved teacher at Valley Springs School, Red Oak Elementary, Emma Elementary, Clyde A. Erwin Middle and Leicester Elementary. During his years as a classroom teacher, he served as a successful basketball coach and then was a basketball referee for the NCHSAA.
Stanley was licensed in the late 70's to become an amateur radio operator (HAM). His call sign was WD4AVY until 2019 when he received the call sign WA4RD. He never met anyone else that had their last name as their call sign. Being a HAM he was able to become a member of the Western Carolina Amateur Radio Society (WCARS).
Stanley was born in Asheville, NC but resided in Marshall, NC for 28 years. He and his wife, Judy, moved to Leicester in 1975 since they were Buncombe County teachers.
Mr. Ward was predeceased by his son, Noel, in 2018; his parents C.W. (Pee Wee) and Retha Wilde Ward; brother, C.W. Jr; father and mother-in law, Bill and Thursie Green Silver.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Judy Silver Ward; daughter and son-in law, Nan and Don Spickerman; sister-in-law, Sylvia Joyce Silver.
Services will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Madison Funeral Services. Rev. Robert James will be the officiating minister. Interment will be at Madison Hills.
Pallbearers will be; Phillip Fisher, Mike Ogle, Jared Silver, Justin Silver, Llyod Proffit and Stacy Gosset. Honorary pallbearers; Yates Ward, Jason James, Larry West and Michael Bradley.
Family and friends will be greeted from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM preceding the services.