Chapel Lanier Ward, 98, went to the Lord on Saturday, April 1, 2017. He was born in Walnut Hill, FL to Smiley Ward and Lena Pearl Mimms Ward on November 30, 1918. Upon graduating high school from Walnut Hill High, later named Ernest Ward High, he attended the University of Florida in Gainesville to study agriculture and surveying. Being highly patriotic, he enlisted in the Army in 1941 and later transferred to the Army Air Corps. He participated in reconnaissance flights in Italy and Northern Africa and rose to the rank of Master Sergeant.

Prior to his overseas tour, while stationed at Romulus Air Base he met and wed the love of his life, Henriette Poire in Detroit MI and remained her loving and faithful husband for 73 years. Following WWII the couple move to Pensacola, FL where he worked first at Barren Field and then at Pensacola Naval Air Station as a Planner and estimator. Retiring after thirty-plus years of service, he pursued gardening, hunting and his favorite hobby, fishing. He was very devoted to his mother's care and visited her daily.

Lanier was well liked and accrued several nicknames by friends and family. He was known as "Blue", "Preacher", "Ace", "Acie Boy", "Sweetheart", "Daddaner" and "Papa". He had a special bond with each of his dogs and a great love for his cottage on East Bay.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James Clifton Ward and Raymond Odell Ward.

Survivors include his wife, Henriette; daughters, Theresa Diane Marsh (Harvey) of Pensacola and Yvette Marie Cashio (Tony) of Birmingham, AL; grandchildren, Ginny Harrison (Larry) of Milton, FL, Lorena Peterson (Mike) of Pensacola, Joe Marsh of Pensacola, Anthony Lanier Cashio (Miranda) of Wise, VA and Patrick Cashio (Catherine) of Camden, NJ; as well as nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at 2:00pm until a Funeral Service to begin at 3:00pm Friday, April 7, 2017 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park.

The family would like to thank his many caregivers over the years, the staff of Sacred Heart Hospital, as well as the staff of Southern Oaks Care Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America, 7 Mill Rd., Wilton, NH 03086 or your local Humane Society.