William McKenly Ward

1938 - 2021

William McKenly Ward, Master Chief Petty Officer of the United States Navy and retired Nutrition & Food Operations Manager from The Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Administration Medical Center, 82, of Lorain, entered into heavenly rest on April 13, 2021 surrounded by loved ones.William was born June 9, 1938 in Pickens, Arkansas. At a young age, he entered the military, first the U.S. Marines and then the U.S. Navy where he later retired September 1990 with high ranks.William is preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Essie Queena Smith and George Smith, Sr. (Lorain) and father, McKinley Ward (Stockton, CA); siblings, Leona Hawkins (Riverside, CA), Henrietta "Rhett" Dawson (Oklahoma), McKinley Ward Jr. and McCormick Ward (Stockton, CA), George Smith, Jr., (Lorain), Jessie Mae Jamison (Sandusky) and James "Jimmy" Smith (Lorain). William is survived by his children, Dale Wilkes (Akron), Lisa (Rashaan) Arnold (Lorain), Amy Ward (Jerome) Wright (Atlanta), Violet Martina (Cleveland), and Shannon Ward (Lorain); grandchildren, Dannelle Thomas, Darrius Thomas, Asia Wright, Joshua Wright (all of Atlanta), Tarica Jackson and Raya Martina (Cleveland), DeLetria Walters and Christina (Ray) Torrence (Akron), Candace (Owen) Fraser (Houston), Dale DJ Wilkes, Jr. (Baltimore); in addition, William affectionately raised De'Angelo Patton, Devin Woods and David Cruz, Jr. (all of Lorain); his siblings, Emma Spraggins (Lorain), Melvin Smith and LaJoyce Hamilton (Los Angeles), Tedario Smith and Olvin (Michelle) Smith (Lorain), Shirley Marshall (Stockton, CA); ex-wife, Ruthie Ward (Lorain); 13 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews cousins and special military friends.Visitation will be Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m., officiated by Church on the North Coast, 4125 N Leavitt Rd, Lorain, OH 44053. Burial will be at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst. Professional services entrusted to Brown-Robinson Funeral Home, 2652 Broadway Ave., Lorain OH 44052. Social distancing and masks are required. Online condolences at www.brownrobinson.com.