Raymond Wilbert Ward Jr.

June 14, 1952 – September 24, 2024

On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, Bill, 72, a beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, died at his home. Born in Fort Worth, Texas to Annie Odell and Raymond Wilbert Ward, Sr., Bill is preceded in death by his parents, and survived by sons, Joe Ward and wife, Heather, of Franklin, TN, and Andy Ward of Boston, MA; grandchildren Presley and Ethan Ward, of Franklin, TN; sisters, Mary Ann (James) Dirickson, and Pattie (Tom) Cupples, of Arlington, TX, and Jo Lynn Ward and Mary Gunderson of Brant Lake, NY; niece, Robyn Wood, and nephew, Steven (Jane) Cupples; great-nieces, Kayla Cupples and Courtney Medrano, great-nephew, Kyle Cupples; three great-great nephews, one great-great niece; and cherished friend, Maria Ledezma.

After graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1974, Bill worked primarily in the Environmental Industrial Hygiene and Safety industry monitoring compliance and best practices. He retired in 2021, but kept busy with gardening, cooking, traveling, and hosting dinners and celebrations with family and friends at his home. He was a member of the Arlington Sportsman’s Club where he shot sporting clays and five-stand in a group and in competition. He greatly enjoyed fishing both locally and deep sea fishing, when he got the chance. In celebration of his 70th birthday, he had the best time treating himself to a skydiving adventure.

Bill was a kind, compassionate, loving, generous person and master of Dad Jokes. He made friends everywhere he went, never met a stranger, and included everyone. Nothing made him happier than when one of his boys, or someone in the family brought friends to celebrations. The saying “The more, the merrier” describes his approach to gatherings perfectly. He always included not only extended family, but also neighbors, co-workers, even people he did business with in get-togethers, often cooking enough food for three times the number of people who were invited. No one went home without leftovers.

He was the consummate dog dad, rescuing his last two pups, Ben and Rosie, from the Fort Worth Animal Shelter. He specifically adopted dogs who were heartworm positive as he knew they were less likely to be adopted because of the expense of the treatment.

The family invites you to join them at a memorial service on Saturday, October 5, 2024, 10:00 am at Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home, 4216 S Bowen Rd, Arlington, TX 76016.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the American Heart Association, the Arlington Sportsman’s Club, or the charity of your choice.