William Douglass Ward

William Douglass "Bill" Ward, 94, of Orange City, Florida, passed away and entered the presence of his Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 7, 2024. Bill was born on May 2, 1930, in Miami, Florida.

Bill will be remembered as a kindhearted and giving gentleman, always ready to help in times of need. His love for his wife, Lois, and his family was a cornerstone of his life. All who knew him will recall his quick wit and his passion for singing.

Bill is survived by his wife, Lois Sealander Ward; daughters Linda Ward Moedinger (Harry) and Carolyn Ward Hutchinson (Gary); son Carl Douglass Ward (Cherriel) and son William Daniel Ward (Alba); nine grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his daughter Susan Ward, father William Gresham Ward, mother Rubye Douglass Ward, and sister Marilyn Ward Vance.

After his military service in the United States Army during the Korean War, Bill partnered with his father in the practice of law and was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Florida and the Supreme Court of the United States. His fifty years of practice were dedicated primarily to family law. He also served as a municipal judge in Coral Gables, Florida. Like his father, Bill was a member of the Orange Bowl Committee, and served as the organization's president in 1972. He further served on the Board of Directors of AAA (Auto Club South), the Bioethics Committee at Miami Children's Hospital, and the Kiwanis Clubs of Miami and Coral Gables.

He graduated from Ponce de Leon High School in Coral Gables, Florida, and went on to attend the University of Florida and the University of Miami Law School.

Bill was an active member of Granada Presbyterian Church in Coral Gables, Florida. There, he served as a deacon, then as an elder. After moving, he became a member at First Presbyterian Church in Orlando, Florida. At both churches, he and Lois were devoted choir members.

A capable athlete, Bill played varsity basketball on both the high school and collegiate levels. In addition, he enjoyed playing football, softball, racquet sports, and working as a lifeguard. Bill later became involved in barbershop quartet singing with various SPEBSQSA ensembles, including the Miamians and the Orange Blossom Chorus. He was known for his original poems and his sense of humor, always ready with a joke or a timely story.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 2:00 PM in the fellowship hall at Spruce Creek Presbyterian Church in Port Orange, Florida. Bill's legacy of kindness, dedication to family, and love for music will forever be cherished by those who knew him.

A graveside service will be held for Bill and Lois on Monday, September 30, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Florida National Veterans Cemetery at 6502 SW 102 Avenue, Bushnell, Florida 33513.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Messiah Choral Society which both Bill and Lois had been involved in for several years.

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