WARD DOUGLAS WILSON

Ward Douglas Wilson, 59, passed away on August 28, 2023, in Scottsdale, Arizona, after a brief illness. Born on February 20, 1964, Ward's beloved wife, Mary, was by his side at the time of his passing. Born and raised in Libertyville, Illinois, Ward was a gregarious and passionate individual who always had a warm smile and kind word for everyone. He was endlessly fascinated by airplanes and airlines, undoubtedly stemming from his father's career flying for Trans World Airlines. Whether as a young boy or grown man, Ward would gleefully stop to watch planes fly overhead whenever and wherever he heard them. He could identify airplanes by their profile as well as what role a particular plane served in commercial or military use. This interest complemented his broad knowledge of military history. Ward was also an accomplished musician, playing bass trombone for the jazz band at the College of Lake County in Illinois for more than 20 years. He continued as a trombonist for the Scottsdale Philharmonic and South Mountain Community College Latin Jazz Band after moving to Arizona in 2015. Above all, Ward's greatest love was his wife, Mary (O'Toole) Wilson. Meeting in 2008, the pair married two years later at St. John's Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin. Throughout their marriage, their overwhelming love for each other was evident to everyone. Together they had a shared loved of sports - especially college football, the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs. They enjoyed travel, participating in marathons, attending plays and concerts, and spending time with family, friends and their dear puppies, Gabby and Delafield (Dela). A graduate of the University of Illinois, Ward was a proud member of the Marching Illini, performing during halftime of University of Illinois college football games among other events. After college, Ward marched on as a member of the Kilties Marching Band based in Racine, Wisconsin. Naturally curious and always eager to learn, Ward received a degree in journalism and worked for the Herald Newspapers in suburban Chicago before later transitioning to a career in IT. He brought his skills and tremendous work ethic to every role he undertook, including his most recent as an Account Director for a large IT firm. Ward is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph L. Wilson, Jr. and Evelyn "Gay" (Austin) Wilson. He is survived by his wife, Mary; brothers, H Wayne (Michele) Wilson, Lee (Marcie) Wilson, Richard (Laurie) Wilson; as well as nieces and nephews, Erin, Kevin, Kristen and Bradley. Ward also leaves behind his cherished dog, Delafield, named for the town where he and Mary married in 2010. He will be dearly missed by his family, Mary's family and their many friends. Visitation and funeral services will be held Friday, September 8, 2023, at Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, 120 W. Park Ave., Libertyville, Illinois (Rte. 176 one block west of Milwaukee Ave.), beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the service at 12:00 p.m. A private burial will follow. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Northwestern Military Academy Noble Victory Memorial Chapel or to Arlington National Cemetery in honor of Sgt. Thomas Martin O'Toole, USMC. For info, 847-362-3009 or share a memory at www.burnettdane.com.