Olympics singer Ward dead at age 66

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Singer Walter Ward, who hit it big with the Olympics' "Western Movies," has died after a prolonged illness in Los Angeles at the age of 66.

During his time with the musical group, Ward helped produce such hits as the 1958 novelty song and continued working with the Olympics up until one month before his death last Monday, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Ward had founded the group, which also created the 1960 dance hit "(Baby) Hully Gully," along with his cousin, Eddie Lewis, and managed to keep the group together despite the shooting deaths of two key members.

While Ward's recent illness had limited his playing time with his band mates recently, the singer had maintained his presence with various performances, including on Nov. 12 at New York's Doo-Wop Spectacular, the report said.

The Times said Ward is survived by two sisters, Bessie Ward and Magdelene Enyard, and his son, Dwayne, also of Los Angeles.