Dr. Earl William Ward

WARD, Dr. Earl William, a retired dentist who practiced in Newport News, Gloucester, and Mathews, died August 20, 2008, at age 84. He was born in Cape Charles, Va., living there until his graduation from high school. Subsequently he served as a civil service employee and studied at University of Virginia. Although he was accepted to the 1944 freshman class at Medical College of Virginia to study dentistry, he postponed his studies to serve in the military throughout the remainder of WWII. MCV made room for him when he returned in 1946, and he earned his D.D.S. in 1950. During his studies, he and his true love, Charlotte Jones, met while working as ushers at Richmond's historic Mosque Theater. After their marriage in 1950, they started a dental practice in Mathews and Gloucester, moving the practice to Newport News in 1955, and later affiliated with Denbigh Family Practice. Mrs. Ward died earlier this year, and it was not surprising that Dr. Ward followed in time to celebrate their 58th anniversary together on August 26. Dr. Ward was a member of the Virginia Dental Association (Peninsula) and the Lions Club (Warwick). An avid and lifelong boater, he taught sailing at Christopher Newport College and was active with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the U.S. Power Squadron of Hampton Roads, and the Warwick Yacht Club. Dr. and Mrs. Ward resided in Maxwell Gardens and later in Seaford Shores. They were active members at the First United Methodist Church in Hilton from 1955 to 2008. Dr. Ward recently joined Zion Methodist Church in Seaford after the death of his wife. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Joan, in 1953; his parents, Clarence and Mary (Long) Ward; and his wife. He is survived by daughter, Earline Thomas; grandchildren, Hillary and Brian Thomas; brother, Jack Ward and his wife, Beverly, of Mechanicsville; and several nephews, nieces, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Foundation of the First United Methodist Church, 10246 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, Va. 23601, (757) 595-0383, or to the Building Fund of Zion United Methodist Church, 2109 Seaford Rd., P.O. Box 240, Seaford, Va. 23696, (757) 898-7417. Services in memory of both Dr. and Mrs. Ward will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 6, at the First United Methodist Church in Hilton.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.