Obituaries
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 18, 2010
John 'Bill' Ward, former Carter president
SALISBURY, N.C. — John William “Bill” Ward, former president of upholstery producer Carter Furniture, died Jan. 9 at the age of 75.
Ward started his furniture career at Johnson Carper Furniture, then spent 33 years with Singer Furniture, serving as vice president and general manager of the company's bedroom division and in a variety of finance, sales and manufacturing posts. In 1986, he joined Harrison Furniture, which he later bought and renamed Harrison-Ward Furniture. In 1990, he was named vice president of marketing at South Shore.
For the past 18 years, Ward was president of Carter Furniture. During his leadership, Carter refocused its upholstery product mix from the low end to the medium and higher price point range, and developed an export program. He retired last year when Carter closed due to the recession. Carter's assets were bought by Directional Furniture.
Ward's industry service included three years on the board of the American Furniture Manufacturers Assn., now known as the American Home Furnishings Alliance.
Survivors include his wife, Marie; two daughters, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, three sisters and one brother.
A memorial service was held at Summersett Memorial Chapel here and a graveside service was held at Oakland United Methodist Church Cemetery in Galax, Va.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Robert F. Silver, longtime rep in Midwest
ST. LOUIS — Longtime manufacturer's representative Robert F. Silver died here Jan 2. He was 68.
He spent more than 35 years in the furniture industry and was a rep for Uttermost, Artisan House and others in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas.
He is survived by wife, a daughter and a son.
Funeral was held Jan. 6 at Berger Memorial Chapel in St. Louis.
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