Mrs. Julie Ward

Julie Ward, 61, of Powder Springs, GA, passed away on July 9, 2024. Memorial Services for Mrs. Ward will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, July 15, 2024, at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home Macland Chapel in Powder Springs, GA, with visitation from 10:00 AM until the hour of the service. Mrs. Ward is survived by her loving husband, Mr. Brian Ward, her father; Charles K. Latham III and his wife Georg, her sister; Ann Nadeau of Dexter, Michigan; her step daughters, Jennifer Ward and Joanie Koonsman of Yuma, Arizona; her step granddaughters, Brianna Koonsman and Kaylee Whitener of Yuma Arizona; her step sister, Courtney Champion of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; her brother-in-law, Bill Ward and his wife Marlene of Lake Havasu City, Arizona; and her sister-in-law, Wray Grimaldi and her husband Jay of Encinitas California. A host of other friends and family also survive. Julie was born in Cincinnati, OH in 1962. After graduating from Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, MI, she attended the University of Colorado, graduating in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. She worked as a civil engineer until 1988 when she decided she wanted a more exciting job. Julie applied for and was accepted into the US Army Warrant Officer Flight Training Program. After completing boot camp, she was sent to Ft Rucker, Al where she successfully completed the Initial Entry Flight Training Course in 1989. Her next assignment was with the GA Army National Guard as a UH-60 helicopter pilot. She later transferred to the Army Reserve at Fort Hood, TX where she would go on to become a fixed wing pilot, flying both prop and jet driven aircraft. In 1999, Julie was called to active duty and deployed to Heidelberg, Germany for 9 months. This is where she met her husband, Brian, also an Army Pilot. She returned to Ft Hood at the end of this tour, reverting back to reserve status. Following her passion for flying, Julie was hired by Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA), one of Delta Airlines regional carriers. She transferred to Los Alamitos Army Airfield in Southern California. Julie and Brian married in 2001. In 2004, they were deployed to Iraq for a year in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Julie accepted an active Guard and Reserve position in 2006, taking a leave of absence from ASA. In 2007, Julie and Brian were both transferred to GA. They returned to Iraq in support of OIF for 6 months in 2008. Upon her return, Julie became the first female Instructor Pilot at the Army Jet Training Detachment located at Dobbins Air Force Base, Marietta, GA. She held this position until her retirement as a CW5 in 2015. Still seeking an adventurist life, they purchased an RV large enough to accommodate them and their 2 Rhodesian Ridgebacks. When not on a cruise ship, they could be found traveling across the United States enjoying life to the fullest. They accumulated over 120,000 miles on their motorhome with their last trip just 3 months ago to Arkansas in April for a better view of the full eclipse. Her passions included family, friends, new adventures and her beloved Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Zola, Newman, Hamilton and Zuri. Julie left us with some parting thoughts. "KISS principle: Do not be sad. I had the best life. I did more and accomplished more than I ever thought I would. I traveled the world with my best friend Brian for over 2 decades. I don’t want to go, but what a ride!!! Until we meet again…." In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Julie’s memory to Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue and Lung Cancer Research Foundation.