WARD, Judge Donald William Stillman
May 15, 1914 – May 18, 2006
Donald William Stillman Ward passed away peacefully in his sleep early Thursday morning May 18th, 2006, three days after his 92nd birthday. Deeply missed by his loving family, he is survived by his wife of 63 years Ruth Marion Ward, his daughter Peggy (Bill), his son Jack (Smita), his grandchildren Andrea, Roz (Magnus), Jennifer (Isaac), and Kim, and his great-grandchildren Xavier and Ava.
Born in Maidstone, Kent, England, Don joined Scotland Yard as a young man and rose to the rank of Sergeant in Scotland Yard’s Special Branch. During WWII he served in the RAF as a pilot with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. While stationed in Edmonton, he met his wife Ruth who led him to a strong faith in God that stayed with him all his life. While he was still in Canada his first child Peg was born.
After the war he returned to Scotland Yard, and while serving in Belfast his son Jack was born. During this time he earned his law degree from Queens University, Belfast and was called to the Bar, becoming a member of the Inner Temple. He emigrated to Canada in 1952 and joined the RCAF Judge Advocate General Branch, retiring with the rank of Squadron Leader. He completed a Masters degree in law (LLM) at McGill University in 1970.
Upon his retirement from the Canadian Forces, he was appointed Judge of the BC Provincial court and sat in Prince Rupert and Vancouver Island. He retired in 1982. Throughout his retirement he remained committed to local affairs and broader legal issues.
His family and friends will miss him dearly. Although his health declined over the last few years, he will now know ‘the peace that surpasses all understanding’.
Grateful thanks to the caring staff at Arranglen Gardens.
There will be a memorial service at St. Mark’s Anglican Church, 138 Memorial Avenue, Qualicum Beach on Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 1:30 pm.
Donations to the Covenant House, Vancouver, are requested in lieu of flowers.