WADE D. WARD, 85, of Crisfield, died Monday, June 29, 2009 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury.

Born in Crisfield on March 24, 1924, he was a son of the late Weldon William and Lena Elizabeth Ward. His wife of 30 years, Helen Sue Cox Ward, preceded him in death on May 7, 1991.

A Crisfield High School graduate of the class of 1941, he was inducted into the US Army during World War II. His first assignment was to the European Theater and later was transferred to the Pacific Theater of operation. Discharged after three years, he then served another four years in the Army Reserve. He enrolled at the University of Maryland College Park, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950, and graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1952, receiving a LLB degree, and was admitted to practice law in the State of Maryland in June 1952. The following month he opened a law office in Crisfield. He was elected State's Attorney in 1954 and spent twelve years in that position, and was given the prestigious honor of being elected as life member to the Maryland Bar Foundation. After practicing law for 52 years, he retired in October 2004.

He was a member of the Crisfield Kiwanis Club, having served as president and also having served as Lt. Governor of the Fifteenth District, Past Master of the Chesapeake Masonic Lodge No. 147, member of the Somerset County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8274, Stanley Cochrane Post No. 16 American Legion, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 654, Boumi Temple, Eastern Shore Shrine Club, Crisfield Chamber of Commerce, Somerset County Republican Club and former member of Somerset County Republican Central Committee, member and former director of the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, life member of the Crisfield Elks B.P.O.E. No. 1044, member of the Maryland and Somerset County Bar Associations, life-long member of Immanuel United Methodist Church, having served as Administrative Board Chairman and having served on the Pastoral Parish Committee, past director of the former banks: Bank of Crisfield, Eastern Shore National Bank and Peninsula Bank, and was a director and past-president of the Edward W. McCready Memorial Hospital Board of Directors.

In addition, he, along with several others, were instrumental in obtaining the founding charter of the Crisfield Little League. He also served as chairman of the National Hard Crab Derby in 1953, and as chairman and co-chairman of the Crab Derby parade for several years. In 2006, he was honored as Grand Marshal of the Derby parade and was also honored by the Boy Scouts as the Somerset County Citizen of the Year.

He enjoyed being with his family- especially family dinners, and enjoyed spending time with his friends and neighbors.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Cindy Ward of Crisfield; a brother, Russell Ward and wife Janet of Crisfield; a sister, Jenny Lee Evans of Crisfield; a sister-in-law, Jane Matthews Ward of Baltimore; several nieces and nephews; and a host of special friends and caring neighbors.

Along with his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, James Walter Ward, who died in infancy; a brother, James Weldon Ward; two sisters, Elizabeth Woolston and Isador Ward; and two brothers-in-law, Gordon "Gordy" Evans and Charles Woolston.

A funeral service will be held Friday, July 3, 2009 at 2 PM at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Crisfield. The Rev. Dr. William Davis will officiate. Interment will follow in Sunnyridge Memorial Park in Crisfield. Friends may call Thursday evening from 6-9 PM at Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to be sent to Immanuel U. M. Church Memorial Fund, c/o Robert H. Bradshaw, Jr., 306 W. Main Street or to Lower Somerset County Ambulance and Rescue Squad, LSCARS, P.O. Box 406, both Crisfield, Maryland 21817.

To send condolences to the family, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com