David Burdick Ward

1940 - 2018

David Burdick Ward, 78, of Williamsburg, Virginia, passed away on September 27, 2018, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Carolyn Tamplin Ward; his children, Mary Katharine Vesely (Michael) of Chesapeake, Virginia; Christopher David Ward (Kate) of Fairfax Station, Virginia; two brothers, Ralph A. Ward (Connie) of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Gerald W.R. Ward (Barbara) of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; and three grandchildren, Elizabeth Vesely, Kirsten Vesely, and Brandon Greyson. Born on June 5, 1940, in Weymouth, Massachusetts, David was the second son of Methodist Bishop W. Ralph Ward Jr., and Arleen Burdick Ward. He grew up in Manchester, Connecticut, and Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from high school. He was educated at Harvard College (Class of 1962), received his law degree from Dickinson School of Law (1965) in Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and graduated from the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School (1988). After serving in the Coast Guard (1966-69), he worked for the law firm of Eckert, Seamans, Cherin, and Melott in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1969-75), the Beneficial Management Corporation in Peapack, New Jersey (1976-89), and from 1989 to 2005 he maintained his own second-mortgage law firm in Chester and other towns in northern New Jersey. He retired to Williamsburg in 2006. A talented football player, Dave was a fullback and placekicker (one of the last pre-soccer style kickers) on Harvard's Ivy League co-championship team of 1961, and he participated in several reunions with his teammates. In later life, he was focused on spending time with, and enjoying his extended family. As an avid skier, he took great pleasure in annual family ski trips to many places around the country, and frequently traveled around the world with his wife, family, and friends. He always looked forward to and enjoyed time with family and friends during annual summer trips spent at the family cottage on Lake Erie. While in Williamsburg, David re-devoted himself to his lifelong love of music. He spent many hours playing the guitar and singing with various local jam groups, and volunteering at the Respite-Care Program at the Williamsburg United Methodist Church, to share the joy he found in music. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 5, 2018 at the Williamsburg United Methodist Church, 500 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, Virginia with a reception to follow in the church Fellowship Hall to greet the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Respite-Care Center at the Williamsburg United Methodist Church, 500 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185, to the American Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com.