12/19/2025
G. William “Bill” Ward
May 6, 1931-December 17, 2025
G. William (Bill) Ward, 94, of Hollidaysburg, PA passed away quietly on Wednesday. He was born on May 6, 1931 in Chambersburg PA to Dorothy Craig Ward and William W. Ward. The family soon moved to Altoona, where brothers Richard and Michael were born, all eventually settling at Horseshoe Spring Farm in Hollidaysburg, PA.
In his youth, Bill was active in the Boy Scouts and Sea Scouts, ultimately achieving Eagle Scout status, the Silver Beaver Award and the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. After attending Mercersburg Academy for high school, he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business in 1952. Participating in the Navy’s ROTC program during college, he went on to serve as a lieutenant in the United States Navy Amphibious Forces from 1953 – 1956.
On June 19,1952, Bill married the girl he met on a high school blind date, Carolyn Marie Williams, in her hometown of Rehoboth Beach, Del. Bill and Carolyn lovingly shared 65 years of marriage, five children, twelve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, to whom they were devoted above all else.
Bill’s career at Ward Trucking Corp. spanned fifty plus years beginning in 1956 as Asst. Director of Operations. His success resulted in future promotions, culminating with President in 1967 and Chairman of the Board in 1992. During those years he navigated the company through good and bad economies, union organization attempts, and competition brought on by industry deregulation. After passing the leadership role on to others, Bill remained interested in company operations until his last days.
Between family and career, Bill found time to support the local Boy Scout organization, serve on boards of directors for many banks and businesses and involved himself with many civic groups such as Altoona Rotary Club, Altoona Blair County Development Corp. and the Altoona Chamber of Commerce.
He was a faithful Catholic and member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Hollidaysburg.
In his leisure time, he and Carolyn enjoyed traveling and spending family time at Rehoboth Beach and Lake Chautauqua. Sailing was a passion that he shared with family and friends at Lake Glendale, the Chesapeake Bay and Caribbean Sea. His love of bicycling led to long rides with friends along Williamsburg’s, PA Rails to Trails cycling route, usually followed by coffee and donuts. In later years, he and his friend, Elizabeth Richards, would drive across Pennsylvania in search of new state parks, historical points of interest and concerts.
Surviving is his brother Michael; and four sons: Timothy (Barbara) Ward of Monroeville, David (Elizabeth) Ward of Hollidaysburg, William (Judy) Ward of Hollidaysburg and Peter (Maria) Ward of Cranberry Township; and a daughter, Sarah (Jon) Arosell of Camp Hill. Grand children and spouses include Sara and Matthew Medsger, Katie Ward, Lucie and Andrew Roberts, Jessica and Michael Farnan, Elizabeth and Michael Francis, David Jr. and Olivia Ward, James and Casey Ward, William and Erhin Ward, Adam Ward, Carolyn Arosell and fiancé, Wilson Guarnera, Ella and Christian Donnelly and Laura Gilbert. Great grandchildren include Emily and Chuck Farnan, Gunnar and Lars Francis, Hildegard Medsger, Noah and Bexley Roberts, Sullivan Donnelly and Jack Ward.
Preceding Bill in death were his parents William and Dorothy, wife Carolyn, brother Richard and great grandson Noah.
Friends will be received on Monday, December 22, 2025 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at The Stevens Mortuary, 1421 8th Ave., Altoona, PA.
There will be a private funeral service.
Committal will be held at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bill’s name to Rails to Trails of Central PA Inc., www.railstotrails.org, P.O. Box 592 Hollidaysburg, PA 16648-0592 or Scouting America Juniata Valley Council, 9 Taylor Drive Reedsville, PA 17084.
Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook.
