Arad Lee Ward, Jr
October 23, 1924 — January 18, 2010
Mr. Arad Lee “Stanley” Ward, Jr. age 85 of the Red Bay Community of Walton County passed away Monday, January 18, 2010 in a Fort Walton Beach healthcare facility. He was born October 23, 1924 in Bruce, Florida the son of Arad Lee Ward, Sr. and Bessie Stanley Ward. As a young boy, growing up, his relatives commented on how much his looks favored the Stanley side of the family and he was often called “Little Stanley”, and the nickname stuck. He left highschool before graduation to join the Navy during World War II serving some three plus years on the USS Coolbaugh and the USS Elkhart until the war’s end. He returned to Bruce and he and his childhood sweetheart, Waudine Rushing were married October 17, 1947, a marriage that spanned some 60 years. After the war Stanley, as he always liked to say “tried his hand at pulpwooding and lost his britches”. He then became employed with civil service on Eglin where he worked some 34 years until his retirement. He and his wife enjoyed retirement, especially fishing, at which times he was the boat captain and baited the hooks while she fished. This Florida Gators fan was a member of Red Bay United Methodist Church. He is predeceased by his wife and two sons Gary and Mark.
Among survivors are his sons Randy Ward and wife Freida of Mary Esther and Arad Jasper Ward of Fort Walton Beach. His sister, Ruth Newsom of Lulu, Florida and his brother Tom Ward and wife Dot of Panama City. Four grandchildren, Randall Ward and wife Cathy, Jennifer Ward, Daine Myers and husband Mark and Joseph Paul and wife Jennifer and two great grandchildren, Tobias and Braedon also survive.
Floral arrangements are being accepted or memorials may be made in Stanley Ward's memory to favorite charities. A time of visitation will be Thursday, January 21, 2010 from 6 until 8 P.M. in Jerry Evans Chapel. Funeral services will be Friday, January 22, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. in Red Bay Baptist Church with Reverends Rodney Infinger, Henry Martin and Horace McCormack officiating. Burial will follow in Red Bay Cemetery.