Willard Dale "Pete" Ward, a friend to all of Hillsville, Va., passed away Wednesday, one day past his 87th birthday.

A lifelong resident of Carroll County, Pete was the beloved father of Pam Collins, father-in-law of Joe Collins and grandfather of Ward, Hobe and Sara Collins, all of Franklin, N.C., as well as faithful brother of Ann Largin of Hillsville, Georgia Webb of Woodlawn and Pat Rollison of Richmond.

Pete was born Oct. 2, 1925 to Emmette and Cecil Ward in Pipers Gap, graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1943 and joined the Army at age 18. He received a business degree post-war at Bluefield Business College. He was a World War II veteran, assigned to the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion. He was a Lifetime Member of Grover King VFW Post 1115. Pete was a charter member of the Hillsville Lions Club, serving for 57 years. He was a long-time stalwart of Hillsville First United Methodist Church, serving as treasurer for 32 years.

Pete retired in January 2012, after working 62 years and 2 months with the Guynn Company. For most of those years, he was manager of Guynn Hardware and Furniture on Main St. Hillsville. When not serving customers, Pete could be found tending his garden or drinking coffee and swapping stories with the early morning regulars at TNT Grocery.

Pete was preceded in death by wife Shirley Burnette Ward, his parents, brother Bill, and sister Rowena Manning.

Visitation was held Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Vaughan Guynn and McGrady Funeral Home in Hillsville, with funeral services Sunday at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Hillsville. Pete was interred beside his wife Shirley at Wilkinson Cemetery.

Nephews served as Pallbearers and employees of Guynn Hardware and Furniture served as Honorary Pallbearers.

Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the family.

Macon Funeral Home was in charge of the local arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com