William D. Ward, age 95, a long-time resident of West Seattle, died peacefully on Jan. 4 in Centralia, Washington. He had resided the last year and a half at Woodland Village in Chehalis.
Bill grew up in Oakland, California and graduated from the University of Santa Clara with a degree in civil engineering. In 1952, he met and married Jeanne (Venen) Ward, his loving wife of 52 years. They moved to West Seattle and he joined a small engineering firm (at that time 13 employees) which became Skilling Ward Rogers Barkshire in 1987.
During Bill’s 40 year career, the firm grew into one of the largest structural engineering companies in the country, responsible for many prominent buildings on the Seattle skyline as well as engineering some of the country’s most notable structures including the World Trade Center in New York. After his retirement Bill was a structural engineering consultant for The Catholic Archdioceses of Seattle.
One of his most enjoyable pastimes was fishing, both close to home on the Puget Sound and on annual trips north with his son Jim, a tradition which lasted almost 50 years. Still fishing at the age of 85, he caught his biggest fish ever, a 54-pound King salmon in the Queen Charlotte Islands. He loved road trips, including favorites such as Las Vegas and the surrounding national parks. And of course he always loved ice cream and milkshakes.
Bill and his family were active members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in West Seattle. He was preceded by his wife Jeanne in 2004. Bill is survived by his son Jim (Patty) Ward of Chehalis; daughter Terri Titcomb of Blue Hill, Maine; along with their families’ four grandchildren Michael, Megan, Leah and Jack; and two great-granddaughters Poppy and Cecilia.
The family would like to thank all the staff at Woodland Care for the kindness and compassion during Bill’s stay there.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date.
