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 More Entered the Celestial Lodge: 8/12/2020

Lodge Officers

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