Word Family Fund
This is an advised endowment set up by BAF’s first President, James W. Word, Jr. and his wife, Sallie. As a former member of the Dr. Thomas Walker Memorial Health Foundation, Mr. Word also guided a gift of $1.1 million from the Walker Foundation to establish this community foundation for Beckley. The unique life journeys and personal goals of the Word family have moved them to give back to a community that has been good to them, and has kept them involved with the Foundation for three generations. Jim died in 2004, and the fund received many memorial gifts. Sallie passed away in January 2015. The fund is now advised by their son and daughter in law, Jay and Lisa Word, along with grandsons Matt and Stephen Word, and Matt’s wife Aimee Word, current Office Manager for BAF.
