Raymond J. "Ray" Ward

Raymond J. (Ray) Ward, 70, of Westminster, passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at home, with his wife and son, Sean by his side. > He was born on January 29, 1955, in Prince George County, Maryland to the late James Burton Ward and Barbara Arlean (Brunelle) Ward. He was the husband of Mary Elizabeth "Liz" (McQueeney) Ward. > Ray had been an automotive mechanic for a number of years and then an auto body mechanic. He had a love for cars and impeccable attention to detail. Ray enjoyed vegetable gardening and canning, crabbing and restoring his 1964 Chevelle. He enjoyed helping friends and family, especially his mother-in-law with various tasks and never expecting anything in return. > His siblings remember him as follows: "Ray loved to tinker with small engines when he was young. He even motorized his and his siblings Washington Post paper wagon so he could drive it instead of pulling it." > "Ray taught himself everything. He had a learning disability before they diagnosed things like that. If he saw it or heard it, he could do anything. He could read but he didn’t absorb information the same way if he read it. Everyone that ever-met Ray loved him. He would do anything for anyone. His two happiest days in life were when he married Liz and when they adopted Sean. He was an entrepreneur and started his own towing company. He was smarter than the rest of his siblings. He was the favorite grandchild of Grandma Marguerite." > "He wrestled in Junior High and wrestled for the district championship where he tore the ligaments in his knee resulting to a loss for the championship." > Surviving in addition to his wife are sons Sean Jeffery Ward of Westminster, Raymond J. Hawse of MD and Raymond J. Ward, Jr. of VA; daughter Tina Ward Noel of VA; brothers Richard Ward, James Ward and Brian Ward and sisters Sandra Jahnke and Nancy Bass. He is also survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren. > He was predeceased by sister Kathy Weichmann. > The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 AM on Monday, March 10, 2025, at Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Road, Sykesville where a funeral service will follow at 11 AM. Interment will be in Fort Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, MD. > In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bridging Life, Development Office, 200 Memorial Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157. > Online condolences may be offered at www.haightfuneralhome.com >

Raymond J. "Ray" Ward

January 29, 1955 - March 1, 2025