Benjamin “Ben” Harrison Ward, 28, of Paint Rock, TN, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on July 23, 2016. A graduate of Midway High School and Boatswain’s Mate in the US Navy, Ben was a Plank Owner on the USS Arlington LPD24. Ben had recently re-enlisted after returning from a successful seven-month deployment to the Middle East. Ben was a kind and loving son and brother, who was soon to be promoted to 2nd Class Petty Officer in September. Among his accomplishments were; Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS), Division Damage Control Petty Officer (DCPO), Reaction Team Leader, Repair Party Investigator, Advanced Damage Control (DC), Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (11 meter RHIB) Coxswain, Small Boat Coxswain/Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (7 meter RHIB) coxswain and M-2 .50) Cal Heavy Machine Gun Operator. Ben was a very accomplished Sailor in a short period of time. Ben is preceded in death by grandparents: Frank and Barbara Ward, Paint Rock, TN; Dr. Kenneth R. Morgan and Joan M. Caron of Fairfield, CT; Richard and Jackie Corbin of Clarksville, TN. Ben is survived by his parents: Marty (Nancy) Ward, Loudon, TN and Kathy (Greg) Corbin, Paint Rock, TN; sisters and brothers: Lorra (Skee) Orr, Murphy, NC, Jackie Corbin, Knoxville, TN, Amanda (Brian) Wasinger, and Aaron (Stacy) Robbins, Maryville, TN; grandparents, Warren and Bobbie Thompson, Maryville, TN. He is also survived by a host of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and special friends. Receiving of family and friends will take place at Loudon Funeral Home Loudon, TN, on Sunday, July 31 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. With funeral service to follow at 7:00 p.m. Family and friends will meet at the funeral home Monday August 1st at 11:15 AM for final viewing and motorcade from Loudon Funeral Home to the Tennessee Veterans Cemetery at 2200 E. Governor John Sevier Hwy. for graveside service at 1:30 PM. The Ward family would like to thank the US Navy and the local first responder community for their special care and support. Arrangements provided by Loudon Funeral Home. www.loudonfuneralhome.net