Raymond Calvin Ward

Raymond C. “Bud” Ward passed away on November 20, 2008, at the age of 83. He was born June 27, 1925, in Newark, NJ to Raymond B. and Eleanore Ward. The family, including his sister Eleanore, moved to El Paso in 1938. He married his wife Sally Patricia Toot in 1946, and was the father of eight children; Raymond R. (Kathy) Ward, Lyndee J. Ward, Sheri L. Hamilton, Sally K. (Jack) Bracy, Charles D. (Linda) Ward, Eleanore E. (Bob) Gay, Besty A. (Tom) Heiber, and Patricia M. (Buddy) Kemp, and stepdaughter Lisa R. (Mike) Rossi. In addition to his children, he is survived by 23 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Ray graduated from El Paso High School and later attended the University of Illinois where he received a degree in Civil Engineering. He retired as a Naval Commander in the Sea Bees. He was inducted in the El Paso High Athletic Hall of Fame and was a member of the Rotary Club. In 1949, he and his father started Ray Ward & Sons Construction. Among many of their projects built throughout the area were the Memorial Gym at UTEP, the Holiday Inn at Airways, the NMSU football stadium and NMSU Science Hall. He was dearly loved and will be sorely missed by his family and many friends. The viewing will be at Sunset Funeral Home, 480 N. Resler, from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, November 24th. Services will be held at Coronado Baptist Church, 501 Thunderbird, Tuesday, November 25 at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Memory Gardens of the Valley in Santa Teresa, N.M. In lieu of flowers Ray requested that donations be made to the Coronado Baptist Church Missions’ Fund