Jachin
Boaz

Kempsville Lodge No. 196

4869 Princess Anne Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Kempsville Lodge No. 196 - 1987

1987

Worshipful Ralph Weldon Ward

  • Initiated: 6/7/1976, Passed: 9/28/1976, Raised: 11/23/1976
  • Member, Norfolk Scottish Rite: 1979
  • Member, Khedive Shrine: 1979
  • Recipient, James Noah Hillman Award: 1987
  • Recipient, Dr. Seymour Jonas Levy Award: 1987
  • Director, Khedive Hillbillies: 1990
  • 25 Year Veteran: 2001
  • Entered the Celestial Lodge: 8/12/2020

Lodge Officers

Photo courtesy of Worshipful Don Meyer
left to right
  1. Mark Morris - Senior Deacon
  2. Idus McCurry - Tiler
  3. Ray Hall - Senior Warden
  4. Don Meyer - Junior Steward
  5. Ralph Ward - Worshipful Master
  6. George Wallace - Treasurer
  7. Woody Pick - Musician
  8. Bill Pierce - Secretary
  9. Jim Gardner - Junior Warden
  10. Dennis Harrison - Chaplain
  11. Charlie Paramore - Senior Steward
  12. Bobby Spruill - Junior Deacon

Obituary

Ralph Weldon Ward, Sr. 93, of Virginia Beach, VA passed away at home on August 12, 2020, surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Born on October 24, 1926, in Baltimore, MD to Frank Jefferson Ward, Sr. and Bertie Saunders Ward, his family moved to Edenton North Carolina when Ralph was 3 months old. He resided in Edenton until he joined the US Navy. After his discharge he made Norfolk, Virginia home which is where he met the love of his life Ethel Barnes. Ralph was in home improvement until he was employed by the City of Virginia Beach where he retired as the Assistant Superintendent of Buildings Maintenance.

Ralph raced go carts in the 1950s and 1960s and was quite good winning many trophies. He was an avid fisherman, Past President of the Virginia Beach Anglers Club and received many citations and awards. Ralph passed on his love of the ocean and fishing onto his son. Ralph became active with the Masonic family. He was a member and Past Master of Kempsville Masonic Lodge 196, a member of Khedive Shrine Center, a member and Past Director of the Hillbillie Unit where he proudly played the base drum also known as the wash tub and a member of several Clubs. He was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church.

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, Frank J. and Bertie Saunders Ward; his brothers, Raymond S. Ward and Frank Jefferson “Jeff” Ward, Jr.; his daughter, Wanda Daymon and his great-granddaughter, Ashley Marie Ward.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 65 years Ethel B. Ward; son, Ralph Weldon “Skip” Ward, Jr., and wife Cathy; daughter, Sheila Nadine Miller and husband Michael; five grandchildren, Trey (Ralph III), Jeffrey and Jacob Ward and Seth and Ian Miller; nine great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson; brother, Davey Lee Ward and wife Katie Jo of Knoxville, TN; sister-in-law, Helen Ward; extended family Roger and Becky Gibson, Samantha Rose; Ray and Norma Hall and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Ralph always had a smile for everyone and a willingness to lend a helping hand to anyone. Ralph will be greatly missed by his loving family and many friends.

Lodge Of Sorrow

  • Rowland Edgar Dorer - 02/19/1987
  • Edward Hodges Monroe, Sr. - 03/12/1987
  • William Samuel Hyers - 04/05/1987
  • Kenneth Franklin Ellis - 04/19/1987
  • James Draucker Plank, II - 09/07/1987
  • Joseph Earle Ferrell - 09/20/1987
  • Alva King - 10/27/1987

Roster Cover

Courtesy of Worshipful Joe Thornton