Ward, Truman

Mr. J. Truman Ward, a pioneer in Nashville broadcasting and former owner of WLAC radio, is dead at the age of seventy-nine. Mr. Ward, an official of Life and Casualty Insurance Co., was named manager of WLAC when it was founded by the firm in 1926. He bought the station in 1934 and sold it back to Life and Casualty in 1953. He was a former president of the National Association of Broadcasters and was one of the founders of Broadcast Music, Inc.

In addition to numerous business interests, Mr. Ward also bred champion saddle horses at his Maryland Farm at Brentwood. He filmed and narrated a movie, The Horse and Its Heritage in Tennessee, which is in the animal husbandry libraries of several universities. He was also active in the public service and civic life of the community, being one of the original members of the Nashville Electric Service board, a commissioner of Watkins Institute since 1950 and a trustee of David Lipscomb College.

Although Mr. Ward probably will be best remembered by the public for his influence on broadcasting and the entertainment industry, his contributions to the community’s development were many. He will be missed.

Comments by Pam White

Truman Ward was an important man by Nashville and Tennessee standards and had a legacy in the founding of David Lipscomb College. As a member at Otter Creek he was always engaged and helpful, but he was humble in his dealings with his brothers and sisters in Christ. He was owner of WLAC radio, former V.P. at Life and Casualty Insurance, and later elected to its Board of Directors. He also served on the Board of NES. He owned the horse farm (home to champions) which has become known as Maryland Farms. Truman Ward was friendly to this child growing up at Otter Creek.