Donald G. Ford Funeral Home
P.O. Box 5 Grafton, WV 304-265-1570 Cell: 304-288-3206


Gary L. Ward, Sr., age 83 of Grafton passed away peacefully Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown WV.

Born in Grafton on July 24, 1932, he was a son of the late Wilbur Ward and Mary Margaret Ward-Bennet.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Maxine Golden Ward; his son Gary Jr. of Houston, Texas and his wife Sandra; his son Steven of Hurricane, WV and his wife Karen; his son Guy of White Hall, WV and his wife Joyce; his daughter Sandra of Grafton; his brother Richard of Dover, Delaware and his wife Clara; and his brother James of Grafton. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

After graduating Grafton High School in the class of 1950, he entered an apprenticeship with the B&O Railroad from August of 1950 to February of 1952. He served in the US Navy as an Aviation Electrician from March of 1952 to March of 1956 with his final duty station being NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. Following his stint in the US Navy he returned to the B&O railroad. He attended Fairmont State College during the 60’s and studied Industrial Arts.

From 1981 to 1987 he held the position of General Foreman for the railroad at the yard in Cowan, WV. He later moved back to Grafton and was a shop foreman until he retired from CSX in July of 1993 with 43 years of service. During his career he made many lasting friendships in the railroad community.

He was a lifetime member of the American Legion. He loved to hunt, fish and do woodworking.

Family and friends will be received at the Donald G. Ford Funeral Home, Route 50 West, Grafton, WV on Tuesday, Sept. 29th from 4:00 -8:00 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour on Wednesday. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Terry Osborne of the Trinity United Methodist Church of Grafton officiating. Interment will follow at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Pruntytown, WV.
Military graveside services will be conducted by the Taylor County Honor Guard and the US Naval Honor Guard.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, friends and family send a contribution in memory of Gary Ward to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson Disease Research at www.michaeljfox.org or by mailing it to PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.
A link to the Tribute Page for donations for Gary:
https://www.michaeljfox.org/tribute/tribute-page.php?id=18110