William M. Ward, 79, of Vero Beach, died Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at VNA Hospice House. He was born in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 17, 1931.
Ward was raised in Takoma Park, Md., and attended public schools in both Washington, D.C., and Maryland. Bill was a veteran of the United States Air Force and was stationed in Germany. After the service, Ward attended Maryland University and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in criminology.
In 1958, Ward worked for the U.S. Justice Department in Washington, D.C., as a U.S. Deputy Marshal.
He was involved with enforcing the new civil rights laws. He also guarded the Kennedy family when President Kennedy was assassinated.
In 1969, Bill was promoted to Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal of the Western District of North Carolina. His territory consisted of 32 North Carolina counties including the Cherokee Indian Reservation. He moved his family to Wolf Laurel Resort, N.C., and lived in those lovely mountains for many years and retired from the federal service in 1985.
Ward became the manager of the Wolf Laurel Ski Corp. until 1993 when he and Dianne moved to Vero Beach. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Vero Beach, and a licensed Lay Leader in the Methodist Faith.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Dianne; daughters, Tara Ward Roberts and Shannon W. (Perry) Knight; and grandchildren, Candice M. and Ward L. Roberts, Tanner A. Knight, Delaney N. and Madigan N. Knight.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3 at First United Methodist Church. Donations may be made to VNA Hospice of Indian River County, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960, in memory of Mr. William M. Ward.