Solicitor's family pay tribute to 'inspiring' man (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Solicitor's family pay tribute to 'inspiring' man

5:15pm Wednesday 1st August 2012 in Wiltshire

THE family of Devizes solicitor Jim Ward have paid tribute to his generosity toward others, and his inspirational role in their lives.

Mr Ward, 58, from Bratton, near Westbury, was shot in his office in St John’s Street on July 2 and died three weeks later in hospital, with his family at his side.

His wife, Nicky Morris, said he had a very practical nature and a passionate desire to help people, something which he demonstrated throughout his life.

“Jim was committed to helping people and he achieved this through many avenues in addition to his career,” she said.

“Jim had his passion for carpentry and building, and on a wider scale physics and science, and family and friends would rarely begin a project without his help, which he was always willing to offer.

“Some of his greatest delights in life came from helping his son with mechanics while working on their Mini, or encouraging his daughters with their degree work in architecture and physics.

“Jim played a caring and inspiring role in the lives of his family and friends and he will be forever in our thoughts and memories.”

Mr Ward was born in Doncaster, Yorkshire, and spent his childhood at the family home and building yard with his two older brothers.

He completed his first degree in Physics and Maths at Sussex University and worked for some years as a scientific engineer at Marconi.

In London, he began working for Tottenham Citizen’s Advice Bureau, and enjoyed the work so much he decided to re-qualify as a solicitor. He moved to Bristol in 1979 to study at Bristol Polytechnic, now UWE.

Here he met his future wife, Mrs Morris, and they married in 1985 at Devizes Registry Office.

They moved from London, where Mr Ward had been practising, to Devizes in 1988 after the birth of their first daughter, founding Morris Goddard & Ward with Francis Goddard, a friend from Bristol Polytechnic.

Mr Ward also worked for some years as a trustee at Kennet Citizens Advice Bureau, giving free legal advice and helping set up a new computer system.

After their other two children were born they moved to Bratton, where Mr Ward fulfilled one of his greatest wishes, transforming a Wiltshire farmhouse into their family home.

A funeral service will be held at St John’s Church in Devizes on Friday, August 10, at 2pm.