William Lucas Ward Jr.

William Lucas Ward Jr. passed away peacefully on June 6, 2024 in Ft. Pierce, FL. Bill was Christian man of Irish and Dutch heritage, the only child of Mamie (Johnson) and William Lucas Ward Sr. Bill was born in Selma, Alabama in 1929. In 1934, the family moved to Miami, Florida. He attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Fine Arts degree. College was interrupted by the Korean War. Bill joined the U.S. Air Force. After the war he went back to U. of F. to finish his MFA degree. During that time he was selected to participate in a Pre de Roma competition and also became a teaching assistant. He said his great teachers helped shape his life.

In 1958, Bill moved to New York City working as a graphic designer for the Naval Training Devices Center. He showed his paintings at the Area Gallery. He began to race sports cars and won his first race at the MG nationals in Marlboro, MD. In 1960 he returned to Florida to join the faculty of the University of Miami. He married Jean Ward, also a race car driver. They traveled, made sculpture and lived together for 13 years.

Bill exhibited his work in over 100 painting and sculpture shows. He organized and juried another 50 shows. His paintings were shown in the Florida Pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair. The opportunity to work both on the Miami Pop festival plus Woodstock music and art festival came up. Bill and Jean, with a crew of U of M art students, did both festivals. Bill was the field director for both events, with the Woodstock festival becoming the iconic symbol of America’s youthful rebellion against the Vietnam War. After Woodstock there was student unrest Kent State. Bill became the chairman of a group of professors, “Concerned Faculty” trying to keep violence from spreading to the Miami campus. Two sabbatical opportunities led to Africa, Europe and India to study bronze casting techniques.

Bill later married Barbara Read and they enjoyed life in Miami. In the Art Department, Bill taught drawing, graphic design, painting and sculpture, becoming the head of Sculpture, acting Art Department Chairman and acting Director of the Lowe Museum. Bill was an original member of the Dade County Art in Public Places committee and was later awarded one of its commissions. While at the University he received two sabbatical leave awards, was Grand Marshall of the 1986 Commencement and designed the U of M mace. He was elected President of Sculptores of Florida and a member of the International Sculpture Conference. He retired in 1992 having risen through the ranks to Professor Emeritus.

Bill moved to Palm Beach Gardens to be near the Palm Beach International Raceway continuing a long racing life of over 100 races. Achievements included one sports car state championship plus a world and national championship in go-karts.

Moving to Fort Pierce, he continued to enjoy race cars and art. His series of small sculptures of soldiers and cowboys had universal enthusiastic reception. He felt at this time he did some of his best work. He joined the Art in Public Places Committee of St. Lucie County eventually becoming chairman and became the advisor for the selection of the Navy Seal Museum sculpture.

In 2012 he finished work on a book started 1n 1998. He was interested in writing and self-published a series of his drawing collections and stories. Telling stories of his Woodstock days, Bill was heard to say,

“I am thankful for the God given talent and wonderful life I have been blessed with, for my mom and pop who loved a skinny, sickly kid even though they had no idea what he was all about. I had two great passions: racing and making sculpture. In both of them I found Magic. Of all the good friends I have had, there wasn’t a bad one among them, I’m lucky to have had one friend for most of my life. I liked to say we never agreed on anything but we were lifelong friends. We raced together, celebrated together. He came to all my weddings and I went to all of his. And last of all, I was able to see the world as few had. Everything in life came as a surprise to me. I had no plan but when it came, I always said Yes. I leave this world ready to meet my Maker.”

Bill will be missed by his friends, old and new plus former students who still keep in touch. He wished to thank his caregivers from Lynmoore at Lawnwood Senior Living, Treasure Coast Hospice and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church for their uplifting support.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on June 20th at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 210 S Indian River Dr, Fort Pierce, FL 34950.