Michael Wayne Ward

It is with great sadness, we announce the passing of Michael Wayne Ward, 76, of LaFayette, Georgia. Mike was born on Nov. 12, 1947, and he went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at a local hospital.

He was preceded in death by his parents Martin Jenkins and Willie Mae Ward.

He is survived by his older brother Dr. Martin Terry Ward, of Marietta; his three children Kathryn Gail Ward, of Fort Oglethorpe, Michael Martin Ward, of Athens, Ga., and Daniel Benjamin Ward (Mariah Alise Ward) and their children Analise Joy Ward and Elaina Beth Ward, of Dawsonville, Ga.

Known as “Mike” Ward …he was a graduate of LaFayette High School class of 1965. He participated in many sports, excelling in swimming and track and field. He was the Georgia AA High School Track Finals 3rd Broad Jump and 5th in High Jump winner. Then, he swam for the University of Georgia. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from UGA. Later, he owned and operated two pharmacies from 1978 to 2005 including Kitchen’s Clinic Pharmacy and Ward’s Pharmacy, both in LaFayette. He was a Christian and a member of the Gideon’s International. He loved his family, his faith and his friends. He was known as “Pawpaw” by his granddaughters, who also called him Santa Claus, because of his white beard. His daughter thought of him as her “hero” because he saved her life from drowning as a child and then saved her again by finding her childhood cancer at a visit to the Atlanta Zoo. In Mike Ward’s final days, he was battling numerous health issues. He was a fighter and walked at night to keep going at a local rehab wing. After many hospital stays, everyone hoped he could go home with assistance after rehab. He went to his heavenly home instead. He will be missed by his family and friends. When he passed away, he had a smile on his face and perhaps a song in his heart. He was known for singing “You are my Sunshine” to his children and grandchildren.

His receiving friends is Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 6-8 p.m. at Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home. And his funeral will be at Wallis-Wilbanks Memorial Chapel Thursday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. and will proceed on to the city of LaFayette Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.