Bennie R. Ward, Jr.

Bennie R. Ward Jr., 87, of Powhatan, born on December 26, 1937, was called home by the Lord on October 22, 2025. Bennie was born in Narwich, Connecticut, to the late Bennie R. Ward, Sr. and Gladys Stearns Ward.

Bennie is survived by his wife of 64 years, Anne Hunter Ward of Powhatan, VA, Daughters, Christine Morrow (Donald) of Charleston, South Carolina, Evelyn Thompson (Troy) of Chesterfield, VA, and Patricia Ward of Henrico, VA., 6 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Janice Mosher.

At Elkin, NC High School, he played football and made honorable mention all-state as a center, even though he only weighed 125 pounds. Bennie graduated from N.C. State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Metallurgical Engineering in 1959.

Bennie was a supervisor of the metal processing section for Reynolds Metal Research. He held 20 metallurgical patents. The twelfth patent, being the most important, US Patent 5,725,L95, alloy 8111 for Reynolds Wrap. He retired from Reynolds Metals in 1998.

Bennie received a medal from the Sons of the American Revolution. St. Michael's Episcopal Church presented him with the St. Michael's Award for his work with the youth. He was also presented with the Silver Beaver Award by the Robert E. Lee Boy Scouts of America Council in 1990 for organizing "A.T. (Appalachian Trail) All The Way". Troop 38 divided the 2,111-mile Appalachian Trail into sections and hiked the entire trail in one year. Troop 38 is the only Boy Scouts of America troop to ever do so. Bennie also hiked the trail, but it took 14 years to do so, as he was still working. He also sent over 200 crews of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to the BSA Maine High Adventure Base. Bennie was a member of the St. Michael's Episcopal Church of Bon Air.

A memorial service will be held at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Bon Air on November 8, 2025 at 11 AM. Bennie's ashes will be interred in the memorial garden at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Bon Air.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Michael's Episcopal church in Bon Air.