Obituary for Ronald Lee Ward
Ronald Lee Ward 1946-2021
Ronald Lee Ward, born September 24, 1946, in Seattle Washington to Claar Ward and Ruby Burke Ward, passed away December 31, 2021, at Whidbey Health in Coupeville, Washington.
Ron was raised in Seattle. He attended Ballard High School and Edison Technical School. Ron was an active participant in volunteering for various causes from the time he was in high school. Ron married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ellen Higley; they have three wonderful children. Ron grew up in Seattle and lived there until moving to Whidbey Island in 1977. He fulfilled his dream of owning acreage, settling in Greenbank.
After a brief time working at the Boeing Company, Ron worked in telecommunications until his retirement. His family, his children and his grandchildren were the most important part of his life. He felt his children and grandchildren were his greatest accomplishment. His vast interests included family-oriented activities like school, scouts, and community theater. Once retired, Ron dabbled in various small businesses while teaching himself various forms of art including music, wooden toy building, photography, sculpture, bronze casting, encaustic and acrylic painting. He loved learning and was fascinated by people, so he pursued and earned a master’s degree in Family and Marriage Counseling.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents Claar Ward and Ruby Ward and his brother Kenneth Ward. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Ellen (Higley) Ward, his three children and their families; Johnathan (son) and Jandellyn Ward, and their children Matthew, Tamsin and Mariah Ward, Christopher (son) and Julie Ward, their children David, Imani, Andrew and Mihret Ward and Tonya (daughter) and Patrick Tyler and their son Benjamin Tyler; his sister Janet Johnson and numerous other family and friends.
Family and friends will miss Ron’s intelligent, caring, loving, supportive, funny take on life; his sharing and caring. He made our lives richer by sharing himself with us. We celebrate his love of life.
At Ron’s request there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Hope’s Promise orphan care at www.hopespromsie.com or www. whidbeyhealth.org/foundation. The family would like to take this opportunity to thank all the angels disguised as health care professionals for their loving and compassionate care during Ron’s health journeys.
Ronald Lee Ward, born September 24, 1946, in Seattle Washington to Claar Ward and Ruby Burke Ward, passed away December 31, 2021, at Whidbey Health in Coupeville, Washington.
Ron was raised in Seattle. He attended Ballard High School and Edison Technical School. Ron was an active participant in volunteering for various causes from the time he was in high school. Ron married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ellen Higley; they have three wonderful children. Ron grew up in Seattle and lived there until moving to Whidbey Island in 1977. He fulfilled his dream of owning acreage, settling in Greenbank.
After a brief time working at the Boeing Company, Ron worked in telecommunications until his retirement. His family, his children and his grandchildren were the most important part of his life. He felt his children and grandchildren were his greatest accomplishment. His vast interests included family-oriented activities like school, scouts, and community theater. Once retired, Ron dabbled in various small businesses while teaching himself various forms of art including music, wooden toy building, photography, sculpture, bronze casting, encaustic and acrylic painting. He loved learning and was fascinated by people, so he pursued and earned a master’s degree in Family and Marriage Counseling.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents Claar Ward and Ruby Ward and his brother Kenneth Ward. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Ellen (Higley) Ward, his three children and their families; Johnathan (son) and Jandellyn Ward, and their children Matthew, Tamsin and Mariah Ward, Christopher (son) and Julie Ward, their children David, Imani, Andrew and Mihret Ward and Tonya (daughter) and Patrick Tyler and their son Benjamin Tyler; his sister Janet Johnson and numerous other family and friends.
Family and friends will miss Ron’s intelligent, caring, loving, supportive, funny take on life; his sharing and caring. He made our lives richer by sharing himself with us. We celebrate his love of life.
At Ron’s request there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Hope’s Promise orphan care at www.hopespromsie.com or www. whidbeyhealth.org/foundation. The family would like to take this opportunity to thank all the angels disguised as health care professionals for their loving and compassionate care during Ron’s health journeys.