Submitted by: John C. Monk

William D. Ward Jr.

June 11, 1929 - April 12, 2010
WALKERTON - William D. Ward, 80, of Walkerton, passed away at 8 a.m. Monday, April 12th, in his residence after a sudden illness with his family by his bedside. Mr. Ward was born on June 11, 1929, in Gary, Indiana, and had resided in the area his lifetime. On June 27, 1953, in Hobart, Indiana, he married the former Lorraine M. Diederich, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Charlene A. Ward of Forrest Park, GA, and Jamie S. Doolay of Albertville, MN; three sons, Dale E. Ward of South Bend, Charles T. (Stephanie) Ward of Valparaiso, IN, and Jeffrey A. Ward of Walkerton, IN. Also seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren whom he loved and cherished. Two sisters, Betty Ann (Don) Ulemek of Santa Ana, CA, and Debra (Ron) Durham of Lexington, KY. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Mr. Ward was preceded in death by his parents, William A. Ward Sr. and Anna (Lukas) Ward. Also by three brothers, Donald Jack Ward, Lester James Ward and Robert Lee Ward. The family wants to thank a very close friend, Denise Buczek of Walkerton. Bill retired from U.S. Steel Gary Works in Gary, IN, after 33 years of service. He also farmed in the Hobart, IN, area prior to buying a farm in Walkerton. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during WW II and the Korean Conflict. Bill's hobbies were farming, camping, having coffee with his buddies, and most of all spending time with his loving family enjoying his grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, PLEASE make all memorial contributions to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. in Plymouth, Indiana. Visitation hours will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. (EST) on Friday, April 16th, in the HANLEY & SONS Funeral Home "Walkerton Chapel," located at 1216 Roosevelt Road in Walkerton. A memorial Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 17th, in St. Patrick Catholic Church in Walkerton, with Fr. Pius officiating. The HANLEY & SONS Funeral Home "Walkerton Chapel" handled arrangements and extends its deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the Ward family.

Published in South Bend Tribune on April 14, 2010