Eugene W. Ward, Husband Of Jeannie Seely, Passes

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Eugene W. Ward. Photo: Courtesy of family

Eugene W. Ward, longtime attorney and husband of Opry star Jeannie Seely, passed away at Life Care Center of Old Hickory Village after a recent cancer diagnosis. He was 92.

Born in White Pine, Jefferson County, Tennessee on Sept. 28, 1932, Ward graduated from White Pine High School and earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Lincoln Memorial University in 1956. Graduating with honors, he earned an academic scholarship to the University of Tennessee College of Law, where he was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and earned a J.D. Degree in 1959.

Eugene W. Ward and Jeannie Seely. Photo: Courtesy of family

In 1959, Ward entered private practice in Morristown, Tennessee. He was appointed Assistant General Counsel to the Tennessee Public Service Commission in 1961, and appointed General Counsel from January 1966-May 1980. He served as an Administrative Law Judge on approximately 400 Commission cases.

Ward was appointed staff attorney for Nashville Electric Service in 1980 and, in March 1986 was appointed as General Counsel for NES. In addition to heading the legal department, he represented NES in governmental affairs before the General Assembly of Tennessee and the U.S. Congress. He officially retired from his position of Vice-President and General Counsel at NES on January 1, 2011.

The Tennessee General Assembly named the bridge at I-81 mile marker four the Eugene “Mose” Ward Overpass in 1976. Ward was inducted into the Lincoln Memorial University’s Professional Hall of Fame in 2005. He was recognized by Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell for his outstanding contributions to the state of Tennessee and his dedication to public service, leadership and community with a proclamation presented by State Representative Darren Jernigan during the monthly Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce Meeting on Sept. 12 of this year.

Ward is survived by his wife, Jeannie, to whom he was married for 14 years, and children Judy Olive, Johnny Myers (Wanda) and Keven Ward (Beth); grandchildren Gregg Bollinger and Shane Bolinger (Brooke), GiAnna and Kendahl Ward, Kristi Sandford (Joel), Sara Kelly (Preston), Austin Olive, Travis Myers, Brandon Myers (Jennifer), Jonathan Myers (Andrea) and Megan Myers; 11 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; and his brother Jess ”Top” Ward (Doris ) and sister Peg Ward (Paul Ward.)

Seely shared, “My heart is broken now, but I am so grateful for the 15 years I had with Gene. I knew he was a good man when I married him, but as I experienced life with him, I learned he was a really great man. My love and respect for him grew daily, and it continues as I learn how much he touched the lives of so many people, some who only knew him by the example he set. It is comforting to know that others share that love and respect for him. Btw, he didn’t ‘lose his battle with cancer;’ he defied it by gaining his wings. The Counselor never lost a case.”

Visitation for friends and family will be at 11 a.m. CT on Dec. 19 at Spring Hill Funeral Home, 5110 Gallatin Pike S. Nashville, followed by a memorial service at 1 p.m. CT. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial donations be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children or the Opry Trust Fund.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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