Ward Jr., William F.

Major General William Francis Ward, Jr., A.U.S. (Ret.), died peacefully on June 21, 2018, in a hospice in Florida at age 89. He served for four decades in the United States Army, retiring as the first commander of the U.S. Army Reserve Command, and for three decades in the private sector. Born in Everett to William Francis Ward, Sr., the son of a jurist and politician, and Helen Schriber Ward, he was raised in Canton, surrounded by a large extended family.

In August 1991, the smoke from a 13-gun salute drifted over the Fort Myer, Virginia parade ground as the Third United States Infantry (The Old Guard) passed in review. The Army Band (Pershing’s Own) played traditional Cavalry songs to mark his retirement as the last member of the West Point Class of 1950 to serve on active duty. President George H. W. Bush had appointed Major General (MG) Ward Chief, Army Reserve as the country’s top citizen-soldier in December 1986.

MG Ward was a highly decorated combat veteran. He led the U.S. Army Reserve during the Gulf Wars as the commanding general of the Provisional Army Reserve Command and deputy commanding general of Forces Command for Reserve Affairs. He also served with the 356th Civil Affairs Command and the 77th Army Reserve Command, Fort Totten, New York, and as the commanding general before returning to active duty in 1986.

He graduated from West Point in 1950 where he developed a lifelong affection for the Hudson Valley. Nine days after graduation he married Elaine Louise Wilson Ward of Cornwall-on Hudson, New York, and was later deployed to Inch’on, Korea, where he saw the inside of a tank for the first time 20 minutes before his first engagement. On June 21, 1951, he was wounded and received a Purple Heart, and then served as an aerial observer, flying 167 combat missions.

MG Ward earned a Master of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Law from LaSalle University. Southern Vermont College conferred a Doctor of Law and the New York College of Podiatric Medicine an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. He earned a Bachelor of Science in military engineering at West Point. He completed the Armor Officer Advanced Course 1150th U.S. Army Reserve School and the Command and General Staff Officer Course, and was an instructor at the 1150th U.S. Army Reserve School. He completed the Economics of National Security Course, Industrial College of Armed Forces, Civil Affairs School, Special Warfare School and the Army War College.

After Harvard, he and Elaine moved to New York where he began a private sector career in Manhattan and served in the U.S. Army Reserves for 30 years. They raised their family in Montebello (Suffern), where he was active in politics, community, and theater. He volunteered with community organizations, including as president of the Ramapo Central School District Board of Education; Suffern High School Board of Education; Suffern Good Samaritan Hospital Facilities and Planning Board; chairman of the United Way, Rockland County; county chairman, Citizens for Kennedy and Johnson; Democratic candidate for House of Representatives; chairman, Young Citizens for Johnson and Humphrey; and with Robert F. Kennedy’s New York campaign team. MG Ward was a member of the Society of Harvard Engineers and Scientists; the Financial Executives Institute; Newcomen Society; Reserve Officers Association; Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Legion; Disabled American Veterans; Pilgrim Society; Army and Navy Club; Squadron “A” Club; University Club, Harvard Club, and National Press Club.

His 30-year civilian career in finance, publishing and investment banking included as secretary of the New York State Bridge Authority; assistant to the president and vice president for finance and administration at Grosset & Dunlap; Dun & Bradstreet controller and vice president; board chairman and president of Dun-Donnelley Publishing Corporation; executive vice president and vice president of the American Cancer Society (New York); and treasurer of real estate investment-banking firm Gestam. His academic appointments included teaching business at Vassar College; clinical assistant professor of behavioral science and public health at New York University’s (NYU) School of Dentistry; lecturer at NYU’s Real Estate Institute; and adjunct faculty of NYU’s School of Commerce, Accounts, and Finance.

He also supported venture capital entities, banks and civic organizations on many boards of advisors: Quotron Electronics, Inc.; Empire National Bank (Bank of New York); Eastern Savings Bank; Apple Bank for Savings; Funk and Wagnalls Publishing; Aerospace Education Foundation, Inc.; Greater New York Bank for Savings; Corinthian Broadcasting; United States Army War College Foundation; New York Military Academy; Historical Society of Rockland County; West Point Fund; Franciscan Sisters of the Poor Foundation; and the New York College of Podiatric Medicine.

His beloved wife of 43 years, Elaine Louise Wilson Ward, predeceased him in 1993. Four of their five children survive him: Michelle Ward-Brent (Steve Brent) of Chevy Chase, Maryland; Gary Ward of Nashville, Tennessee; Gregory Ward of Tampa, Florida; Suzanne Nugent (John Nugent) of Highland Mills, New York; and seven cherished grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Son Jeffrey Ward (Robin Ward) of San Antonio, Texas predeceased him in May 2018, as did a sister, Mary McCaffrey, and brothers Hugh and John Ward in 2017, 2015 and 1968, respectively. Many cousins, nieces, and nephews, mainly in New England, survive him, as does a second wife, Marie-Louise Buchheit Ward, and her children.

Burial with full military honors at the United States Military Academy West Point will take place August 8, 2018, with a 1:30 p.m. mass at the West Point Catholic Church, Most Holy Trinity Chapel. Interment at the West Point Cemetery and a reception at the Thayer Hotel will follow.

Donations in memory of MG Ward can be made to the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 339 South Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727-9297 (setonshrine.org) in honor of Elaine Wilson Ward. Condolences and memories may be offered at beckmanwilliamson.com/notices/MajorGeneralWilliam-WardJrUnitedStatesArmy and www.westpointaog.org/memorials.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Jul 13 2018. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.