David Clayton Ward

David Clayton Ward, 91, of Hartford, AL, died on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Services honoring his life will be held at Hartford Baptist Church Friday, July 24, 2026, beginning with visitation at 10:00 A.M., funeral officiated by Rev. Scott Cox at 11:00 A.M., and burial following in Hartford City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hartford Baptist Church general fund, 105 East Birch Street, Hartford, AL 36344.

Born on January 27, 1935, in Dothan, AL, David was lovingly welcomed into the family of Kate and Jeff Ward. Other life-forming events for David were meeting the love of his life, Mary Charles Durant, at Geneva County High School and joining the Army National Guard reserves (1953). He served “the Guard” in various reserve and fulltime capacities his entire life and reluctantly retired in 1995 from his fulltime appointment as Platoon Sergeant with the Slocomb Army National Guard 1203rd Engineering Unit. David was a soldier and true American patriot, who loved God, his family and Alabama “Roll Tide” Football. He had a knack for conversation with people; forever confident he knew you or some member of your family. After the death of his beloved “Mary Dixie”, he lived with a broken heart until his death.

Survivors include daughters, Mary Lyn Woolley (Tom), Birmingham, AL, Cindy Cohen (Ron), Thornton, CO; son, Rob Ward (fiancée, Melissa), Lillian, AL; grandchildren, Drew Woolley, McKenzie McInnis (Adrian), Rita Cohen (Gabe), Megan Thornam (Joe), Kendall Shelton (Drew), and Kameron Ward; great grandchildren, Cecilia, Maya, Luke, Collette, Poppy; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.