William E. Ward 1931-2026

Bill was a graduate of Tonawanda High School, Class of 1950. It was there that he met his future wife, Joann Perry when he was a senior and she was a freshman. They were married on May 2, 1953.

Bill served for three years in the United States Marine Corps during which time he served for 15 months in Korea as a staff sergeant, working as an automotive mechanic with the 5th Regt. First Marine Division. Bill received the Korean Service Medal with appropriate campaign stars, and the United Nations Service Medal for his action against the enemy with the Fleet Marine Force.

After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Bill worked as an automobile mechanic for Millian Buick in Tonawanda, NY and then for an automotive transmission repair shop. He then spent a few years assembling boat lifts for Reiman and Georger in Buffalo.

Bill found his true calling when he went to work first as an insurance agent for the Prudential Insurance Company, and then as an industrial products and paper salesman for thirty years, retiring from International Paper. During his sales career, Bill earned a number of awards for his sales ability.

Bill lived in many places over the years from Grand Island, NY to Humphrey, NY, Erie, PA, Bemus Point, NY, Falconer, NY, and Jamestown, NY.

When living in Humphrey, NY, Bill was a volunteer fireman as well as working his sales job. He also was a member of the War Veterans Recreation Club and the American Legion Herman Kent Post #777 when living in the Jamestown area.

Bill had a deep faith and trust in God and he especially enjoyed his Wednesday morning Bible study with his brothers in Christ. He often said, “I love those guys.” He served on various committees at the churches where he belonged. He was involved with the building of the new United Methodist Church on Grand Island, NY and served as building committee chairman at Trinity United Methodist Church in Erie, PA and also at Fluvanna Community Church in Jamestown, NY.

You could often find Bill in his wood shop building things that were needed at the church as well as shelves, furniture, and corn hole games for family and friends. With his woodworking ability, he remodeled the homes that he and Joann owned.

Bill enjoyed watching the Buffalo Bills, Penn State football, Hallmark, and Gunsmoke.

Bill will be dearly remembered as a good man who always looked at the bright side of life with his positive attitude. He was always there to support and encourage his family and friends. The good morals and values that he showed throughout his life by his example and actions are living on in his beloved family. He often said that his family was the greatest blessing that God ever gave to him.

Bill is survived by his wife, Joann; two sons, William (Hollie) Ward of Lafayette, LA and James Ward of Depew, NY; two daughters, Joann (Gene) Anderson of Kennedy, NY and Robin (Michael) DeHart of Marysville, PA; 17 grandchildren, Jammie LeBlanc, Eyrica Ward, Eric DeHart, Maria Hauser, Lee Ward, John Ward, Johana Vandrei, Ryan Ward, Lyndsey Uhl, Tori Palmer, Ethan Ward, Kristin Onkst, Jesse Anderson, Paige Wilkes, Victoria Ward, Robert Ward, and Gabriel Ward; 37 great grandchildren; and one brother, Robert Ward of Tonawanda, NY.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by two sisters, Gloria Buehrig and Catherine Delaney; a granddaughter, Brittany Ward; and a daughter-in-law, JoAnn Zito Ward.

The celebration of Bill’s life will be on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 12:00 pm at Fluvanna Community Church. The Rev. Todd Wentworth will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service at the church from 11-12pm.

Bill’s family would like to extend deep gratitude to the multitude of caregivers who so gently and compassionately kept Bill home and comfortable.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fluvanna Community Church Building Fund, 3363 Fluvanna Ave, Jamestown, NY 14701.

To leave words of condolence, please visit lindfuneralhome.com.