Obituary of William Whitford Ward

WINTER HAVEN - William Whitford Ward, 81, of Winter Haven, FL, passed away at home onFeb. 5, 2014, due to cancer. "Bill" was born in Providence, RI on June 23, 1932, to the late Francis W. and Maude R. Ward. The family later moved to Bridgeport, CT, where Bill received his primary and secondary education. He was a 1954 graduate of Marietta College, Marietta, OH, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering. He was married for sixty years to Catherine Bennett Ward of Fairfield, CT. Bill and "Cathy" were the proud parents of six children and twelve grandchildren. Bill and his father, Frank, were owners of a machine shop in Bridgeport, CT, for several years. After leaving the machine shop business, he and Cathy, became involved in several entrepreneurial endeavors, including a motel business on Cape Cod, MA, a hardware store in Epping, NH, and a country store/restaurant in Strafford, NH. They retired to Winter Haven, FL in 2001. He was a communicant of St. Ann Roman Catholic Church in Haines City, FL, where he served as usher for several years. He was a member of the Father Philipe de. Carriere Knights of Columbus Council 10484 in Haines City, as well as the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Assembly 3200 Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Council in Haines City. As a resident of a retirement community in Winter Haven, Bill enjoyed golf and involvement in community and church activities. In addition to his wife, he is survived by son William T. Ward (Laura) of Barrington, RI; daughter Catherine Heath (Dana) of Berwick, ME; son Patrick F. Ward (Peggy) of Newburyport, MA; son Michael J. Ward (Kathryn) of Hooksett, NH; son Charles W. Ward (Cristina) of Yanceyville, NC; and son Peter R. Ward (Sarah) of Barrington, NH; grandchildren Casey Ward, Craig Ward, Shannon Heath Durda (Neil), Allison Heath, Helen Ward, Nathan Ward, Emily Ward, Samuel Ward, Joseph Ward, Elizabeth Ward, Wesley Ward and Rachel Ward. A gathering of family and friends will take place at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, 1001 Grace Ave., Haines City, FL, from 5-7pm on Feb. 13, 2014. A Mass of Catholic burial will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church, 1311 Robinson Dr., Haines City, FL, on Feb. 14 at 10:30 am. Interment will follow at Rolling Hills Cemetery, 4810 Tilden Rd., Winter Haven, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Ann's Church, 1311 Robinson Dr., Haines City, FL -