03/14/2025
Where do we begin…. In 1944 our granddad LJ Ward had a vision. He loved music and wanted to share that love with others. He left his job at the Papermill and started Ward Piano Company. In 1946 our dad Guy, after serving his country in the Army, went into business with his dad. He would repair a piano, load it on the truck and go door-to-door until it was sold, come back, fix another one and on the road again. As time went on the business grew (at one time employing around 35 people) rebuilding and selling pianos all over the southeast. At some point in our lives all of mom and dad‘s children Kerwin, Robin, Kelly and Alden were employed along with many of granddad‘s and dad‘s grandkids. Life took all the others on different paths in life but Alden and Kelly remained to continue the business. Through the years many things have changed. Covid hit and we were considered a “non-essential”business. Then came Tropical Storm Fred which was devastating. Many lost their lives and homes. We along with many others lost our business. It was only with the help of many volunteers, our community and lots of prayers we were able to reopen on a much smaller scale. Helene was next. It’s been tough to say the least. We said all this to say after much consideration, we have made the difficult decision after 80 years to close our family business. Today marks our final delivery of the last piano to be restored at Ward Piano Company Inc. This piano will be placed in the Imperial Hotel a historical building in our community. To all our former employees and customers (we wish we could name each one) and our community we say THANK YOU!!! It is only because of you we are hopefully able to leave a legacy our grandparents and parents would be proud of. With Love, Alden & Kelly Ward
