Born to Leonard and Flossie (nee Mills) Ward in St Louis MO on April 4, 1951. Beloved brother of Pat (Bob) Keck of Swansea IL; and John (Vera) Ward, Forsythe GA; Lora Pfister, Dixon IL; and Wendy Hupperts, St Louis MO. Adored uncle of Trisha, Angela, Jim, . Special uncle to his grand-niece Jamie, whom he called his “special angel.” Alex, and a host of other nieces and nephews .

Great lifelong friend of Vince Richards .

Preceded in death by his parents, his brother Tony Ward and his brother Jim Ward.

Served in United States Army as a medic for three years, 1968 – 1971.

Passed from this world December 17, 2009.

To all who prayed for Benny he wanted to thank you , for it was your prayers which sustained him thru his illness.

The family would like to thank the staff at the St Louis VA Medical Center, both at Jefferson Barracks, and at John Cochran, for the care and attention that he received. Special thanks are offered to the staff of the hospice unit, where Ben was treated with dignity and gentleness, and where he was given a sense of identity within a caring community.

Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, December 23 at 2:30pm at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Please meet at the administration building from where we will be escorted to the chapel for services.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Ben may send memorials to St Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, per Ben’s request.