Billie Jean Ward

Sun City Center, Florida-Billie Jean Ward, 86, passed away after a brief illness on November 13, 2021, with her loving family by her side. She was born in Corbin, KY on January 29, 1935 to Earl and Irene Felts. Billie Jean graduated from Anderson High School and attended Felt and Tarrant Comptometer School, Indianapolis. She worked in the data processing department at Guide Division before becoming a devoted full-time homemaker and stay-at-home mother. She was a long-time parishioner of Central Christian Church, in Anderson, IN, where she was an active member of the Women’s Club. She enjoyed volunteering at St. Johns Hospital and Community North Hospital. After moving to Sun City Center, FL, she was a dedicated member of Trinity Baptist Church, serving there as a Deaconess. She was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Sorority. She was an avid tennis player and played competitively for many years. Billie Jean and Jack were able to travel the world together. They spent four years living in Seoul, Korea, when he served as the General Motors VP with GM/Daewoo. While in Korea, she studied South East Asian cooking, oriental flower arranging and did volunteer work at the US Army Base. Billie Jean had a heart of gold and was always described by family and friends as a very kind and caring person. She will be missed by all of us who loved her so dearly. She was the true epitome of a lady. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of almost 69 years, Jack Ward; three daughters, Terri (Robert) Chaney, Peggy Wise, and Kathy (Bruce) Ray; grandchildren, Traci Grubbs, Tyler Wise, Evan Wise, Jordan Wise, Austin Ray, and Ashley Faller; great grandchildren, Caleb and Chaney Grubbs, Myles and Madelyn Wise, Jackson and Palmer Wise, Adelyne, Cardamon, and Opal Ray, and Grayson and Madison Faller; several nieces and one nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Irene Felts; brother, Jerry Felts; granddaughter, Summer Nicole Ray; son-in-law, Rick Wise; and one great grandson, Gabe Chaney Grubbs. Funeral Services for Billie Jean will be held at Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Service & Crematory, 515 E. 53rd St, Anderson, IN, 46013 on Monday, November 22nd at 1:00 pm. She will be laid to rest at Anderson Memorial Park Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be on Monday, November 22nd from 11:00 to 1:00 pm at the funeral home. The family expresses their sincere appreciation to the staff at the Sun City Center, LifePath Hospice House for the wonderful care they gave. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Billie Jean to Lifepath Hospice House, 3723 Upper Creek, Ruskin, FL 33573. You may post online condolences at www.brownbutzdiedring.com.