Willis Howard Ward Jr., 88, of Mathews, Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at Riverside Regional Medical Center. He served in the United States Coast Guard for four years, served 33 years in Civil Service, and worked 29 years at the NASA Langley Research Center.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Frances Walsh Ward of Hampton, Virginia; daughter, Robin E. Hart of Norfolk, Virginia; son, Jeffery A. Ward of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and brother, Dr. Joseph L. Ward of Grafton, Virginia.

A graveside farewell service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Christ Church Cemetery, 320 Williams Wharf Road, Mathews. A reception for family and friends will follow the service at Southwind Pizza, 44 Church Street, Mathews, Virginia 23109. Donations and expressions of gratitude can be made to the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, 94 Cricket Hill Road, Hudgins, Va. 23076, or to the Mathews Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 1130, Mathews, Va. 23109. Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews, is assisting the family.