Obituary of Raymond B. Ward

Sergeant Raymond B. "Ray" Ward, 98, of Waverly, NY, passed away peacefully at his home with his loving wife by his side on the morning of Monday, February 25, 2019.

He was born on March 24, 1920 in Durham, NC, the son of the late Otto and Dora (Klionsky) Ward.

Ray was a Veteran of the United States Army Air Corps, serving during WWII. He led a storybook life and was well known for his public service nationally and internationally. His contributions in military and public affairs are legendary. Ray was a member of the Cornell War Class of 1943, received an honorary life membership in the Association of Graduates, US Air Force Academy, and completed the Chamber of Commerce of the United States Institute on Organization Management. While at Cornell, he was admitted to the Round Table and founded the yet active Cornell Radio Guild in 1940 and wrote CBS and NBC radio documentaries.

Among his honors, in a rare ceremony the Seneca Indian Nation adopted Ray, and the Dutch Nation requested this war veteran represent the United States as special ambassador during solemn post-war commemorations in Holland. The Civil War Centennial National Commission accorded him its highest honor, the Peace Medallion and the Sons of Union Veterans recognized his contributions. He ceremoniously was presented the past National Commander's medal. Many senior Generals of the USAF have attributed to Ray's leadership as being a force in helping our Nation having an Air Force second to none. He was a founding member of the Air Force Association, powerful voice serving our national security so that locally several or our aerospace industries would benefit.

Ray was credited by Pennsylvania as a moving force behind the program that funded the State Park System by instituting a park in every county. In New York, he became the first official admitted to the National Ombudsman Association, comprised of major movers in critical problems. He was presented with an honorary citizenship in TN on occasion of chairing a Nashville symposium of State and Federal officials sponsored by the USDA on rural leadership.

In war service, Ray was the first and ultimately the last of those who soloed the original R-4 helicopters prior to the end of the war, his Sikorsky is now displayed at Wright Patterson Air Force Museum. He was responsible for selection of bombardment crews inclusive 600 men to man the first B-29 bombers sent against Japan. He cut the red tape to get critically needed technicians to the Pacific battlefronts. In peace time, he lent his talent to a multitude of causes.

In the Southern Tier Ray became Deputy Metro Director of the National Alliance for Business while concurrently serving as Tioga County's first Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce. Ultimately, he co-chaired the State Chamber Association Manpower Committee which conceived and funded a new concept job training program. In Scouting, he was District Cabinet Advisor to the new Explorer Program in the General Sullivan Council, and later was a State Advisor to Pennsylvania's best and brightest State Federation of Junior Historians.

Ray authored two well received reconstructed histories found in the University Libraries, HRH Prince Andrew during a Washington dinner and was presented a copy of Those Brave Crews, an epochal treatment of the air battle to destroy the Romanian oil fields.

He held positions in teaching and was selected by the Office of Economic Opportunity to head up the proposed National teacher Corps, a training center designed to solve the illiteracy problem designed using the pattern of one in the USAF. Unfortunately, it did not reach fruition due to the lack of funding. Ray was generous with his time, he sought to better the life of those in the Valley and surrounding areas. He was behind the gift of the land to Stray Haven Humane Society and funding the deepening of Waverly Glen. At request of concerned citizen, he prevented the tear down of the historic Emory Chapel, one of the earliest Methodist Shrines in the United States. In like manner, he rallied Valley support preventing the reduction of Spanish Hill for fill. It proved to be a bulwark against flood damage to Waverly. He stopped removal of the Owego Northspur Rail Track which he restored with State funds. His economic look at history made him a historical activist, enabling Riverrow buildings in Owego to become an asset, these intended to be leveled. He led the county effort to convert the part-time Board of Supervisors into a County Legislature, then created the nine districts to give proportionate representation. Ray long preached economics and the river dictate the jointure of Bradford and Tioga-Broome Counties as an interactive growth community, heretical thinking to fiefdom minds.

He is predeceased by his first wife Beatrice and brother and sister-in-law Dr. Samuel A. and Leona Ward.

Raymond is survived by beloved wife of 24 years Virginia Ward at home, Elaine Ward of NYC and many beloved family members and friends who will miss him Raymond, Steve, Linda, Johnny, Frank, Ginny, Thomas, Holly, Tara, Mike Hoskins, Hannah Hoskins, Andy and Mary Quinlan, Sara, Betty, his favorite friends Anna and Charlie Brown, Brandon Moore, Dennis, Rev. Steve Doyle, and all the Hospice Caregivers whom we appreciate for the wonderful care given to Ray.

At Raymond's request, there will be no calling hours or services. The family is being assisted by Jay E. Lowery Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Athens, PA.