William Lloyd Coward, Sr.

William Lloyd Coward, Sr., was born September 17, 1925 in Ramseur, NC. At the age of 16, he enlisted as a US Marine and went on to have a long, successful career there before retiring in 1974 with the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. In his 33 years as a US Marine, MSG Coward served 42 months in WWII in the South Pacific and Japan, where he became fluent in Japanese and received a commendation from the master of the Children's Home for service and assistance to children in the orphanage. MSG Coward served four months in the Korean War and was part of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, one of the most significant battles of the US Marine Corps, and the defining battle of the Korean War. His experience as one of the Frozen Chosin influenced the rest of his life, moving him to a life of service to humankind. He also served with distinction in the Vietnam War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Bay of Pigs. As a retiree, he was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, opening the DAV Office at the Carl Vinson Veterans Administration in 1981. Among many other things, he helped widows navigate red tape to obtain their benefits and was a District Leader with the DAV. In his role with the DAV, he raised money for passenger vans for the DAV Transportation Program and drove veterans back and forth from Albany to the Dublin, Augusta, and Atlanta VAs for medical treatment. As the DAV Department of Georgia Commander 1990-91 and 2000-01 and a member of the National Executive Committee from 2005-07, Ninth District, Mr. Coward testified before Congress on many occasions to secure veteran benefits and rights. From 1981 to 1996, Mr. Coward donated 21,000+ volunteer hours helping veterans and their families, and in 1990 was nominated for and selected as Citizen of the Year for his outstanding service to veterans. Mr. Coward's military affiliations include: Golden Rodent, National Order of Trench Rats (2005-2007); The Chosin Few; American Legion – Post 30, Albany, GA; Amvets; VFW, Post 2785, Albany, GA; Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 39, Albany, GA as president and treasurer. Masonic affiliations include: 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason; Triangle Lodge 708; Daylight Lodge 741; Scottish Rite; St. Paul's Commandry; Worthy Patron – Dublin Chapter 175, Order of the Eastern Star, 1994-1995; Royal Patron – Shamrock Court No. 4, Order of the Amaranth, Dublin, GA, 1994, 1996-2003; Christina Court No. 18, Order of the Amaranth, Albany, GA; Grand Royal Patron, Order of the Amaranth, State of Georgia 2000-2001; and charter member of Wire Grass York Rite College, Tifton, GA. Mr. Coward was a member and lay speaker of Avalon UMC in Albany, GA from 1952 forward and represented the church at the Annual Methodist Conference for many years. He was a member of the Friendship Sunday School Class. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jan Currie Coward, and his first wife Gladys Haecke, as well as his son, William Lloyd Coward, Jr. He was the son of Walter Monroe Coward and Vella York Coward, and the brother of Ruth Coward Pugh, Myrtle Coward Stewart, Clarence Coward, Worth Coward, and Alan Coward. Mr. Coward loved to sing and was a fantastic dancer. He is survived by his step-children, Steven Nobles and Susan Scarbrough, by his grandchildren, Haley Nobles and Noah Nobles, and by a host of friends. He was beloved by all. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, July 2, 2022, in the Chan Stanley Memorial Chapel of Stanley Funeral Home and Crematory, with interment to follow at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at Andersonville National Cemetery. Rev. Gerald Hutchinson, Jr. will officiate. The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Friday, July 1, 2022, at the funeral home. Funeral services will be livestreamed at https://my.gather.app/remember/william-coward-sr and committal services will be livestreamed at https://my.gather.app/remember/william-coward-2022 Stanley Funeral Home and Crematory/Dublin Chapel has charge of funeral arrangements.