Clifford "Cliff" Edgar Ward

Clifford Edgar Ward, 76, of Springdale, passed away on April 18, 2014. He was born and reared in Sylva, North Carolina and moved to Columbia, SC in 1961 where he lived the rest of his life. He was the son of the late Ralph Manus Ward and Dallas Nicholson Ward. He was a 1959 graduate of Berea College, in Berea, Kentucky where he met his wife of 52 years, Shirley Gregory Ward. Cliff served in the U.S. Army from 1960-1962. Afterwards he went to work for Equifax Corporation (formerly Retail Credit Company) and retired from there after 29 years of service. Cliff was an avid beekeeper and a longtime member of the Mid State Beekeepers Association. He was recognized as the South Carolina Beekeeper of the Year in 2004 and received lifetime membership in the South Carolina Beekeeper in 2010. He loved to hunt and fish and was a member of the Lexington Wildlife Chapter. He was an active member of the Platt Springs United Methodist Church and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Cliff is survived by his wife, Shirley Gregory Ward; son and daughter-in-law, Roger Glenn and Laura Ward of Roswell, Georgia; and grandchildren, Benjamin and Lillie Ward. Memorials may be made to Platt Springs United Methodist Church, 3215 Platt Springs Road, West Columbia, SC 29170. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, April 21, 2014 at Platt Springs United Methodist Church. The Reverend Rebecca J. Shirley will officiate. The family will greet friends from 2:00-3:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Immediately following the service will be a gathering for family and friends in the Platt Springs United Methodist Church fellowship hall. Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, 4720 Augusta Road, Lexington, SC 29073 will be assisting the family.