Ralph Harold Ward

Colonel Ralph Harold Ward passed from this life on Friday, April 25, 2008.

He was born October 21, 1919 in Goldsboro, NC. He graduated from Goldsboro High School in 1937 and went to work at the Paramount Theater. Two months later he was promoted to assistant manager. Two years later he was promoted to manager of the Wayne Theater in Goldsboro.

In 1942, he entered the military service with basic training at the Army Chemical Warfare Center at Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland. Upon successful completion of basic training, he was selected to attend a non-commissioned officer’s school and upon graduation he was promoted from Private to Staff Sergeant. Two months later he was selected for Chemical Warfare Officers Candidate School. Upon graduation he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant. Later he became commander of a Chemical Warfare Operations Squadron. He served with the Berlin Airlift (1948 – 1949) in Germany. He served in Korea (1950-1951), and served three years in post war Japan. He was assigned to an United States Air Force Inspector General’s Team his last six years, traveling around the world each year. He retired with the rank of Colonel.

Colonel Ward was a member of the Air Force Association, the Retired Officers Association, the Golden K Kiwanis Club, the Goldsboro Country Club, and St. Luke United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marjorie Coley Ward; two brothers, Benjamin Ward and wife Rosemary of Summerville, SC and Donald Ward and wife, Ann of Raleigh. He also was blessed with a number of nieces and nephews who admired and loved him very much.

Preceding him in death was his father, William A. Ward and mother, Mattie Fussell Ward; two brothers, William A Ward, Jr., James Ross Ward (USN Ret.); and sisters, Ellen Herring and Doris Henry.

Interment services, with full military honors, will be held in the Town of Stantonsburg Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 to be followed by a memorial service beginning at 2:00 p.m. at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Goldsboro with Rev. Earl Delaney and Rev. Jean Hood officiating. The family will receive friends following the memorial service in the church parlor. The Golden K Kiwanis will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Directions to the Stantonsburg Cemetery are: Take Hwy 222 East to Stantonsburg (Main Street), turn right on Commercial Drive, go to Saratoga Street and turn left, cross the railroad tracks and the cemetery will be the 2nd and 3rd Street on the right.

Donations are suggested to Kitty Askins Hospice Center, 107 Handley Park Court, Goldsboro, NC 27534 or to St. Luke United Methodist Church, 1608 E. Pine Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530.

Arrangements are with Seymour Funeral Home, Goldsboro, NC.