Willie "Bill" Ward

Willie "Bill" Ward, 86 OCEANSIDE -- Willie "Bill" Ward passed away on Sunday, January 23, 2011. He was born on April 20, 1924 in Norfolk, Va. Bill proudly and honorably served in the USMC for 27 years and saw combat in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He retired in 1969 as a Sergeant Major. After retiring from the USMC, he worked for the United States Secret Service as a member of President Nixon's security detail at the Western White House in San Clemente, Calif., for 10 years. In 1979, he went to work for the Oceanside Unified School District as a school bus driver, retiring in 1986. His final service was as a senior volunteer for the the Oceanside CHP Office. Bill was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge, and a 40-year member of the Oceanside Elks Lodge. He was a plank owner on the USS Hornet, CV-12, on which he served as part of the Marine detachment during WWII. Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Virginia Lee Ward. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Griseck and her husband Al; son, William Ward and his wife, Diane; daughter, Wray Grimaldi and her husband, Jay; son, Brian Ward and his wife, Julie; five grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to The Elizabeth Hospice, www.elizabethhospice.org Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com