Hillard Vestal Ward

Asheville Hillard Vestal Ward, 64, of 218 Westwood Place, passed away Friday, May 23, 2008 at his residence. A native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County, he retired in 1988 from the maintenance division of the Asheville Housing Authority. Mr. Ward was the son of the late Hillard David Ward and Grace Helen McGhee Ward Brown. Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Ruby Parker Ward; sister, Hazel Irene Penland of Asheville; two half-brothers: Michael Mike Brown of Asheville and Edwin Buster Brown of Taylorsville; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at 2 PM Tuesday at Green Hills Cemetery, with the Rev. Allen Rash officiating. The family will receive friends from 7-9 PM Monday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.