Sadness at passing of Willie Ward

On the evening of Tuesday September 9, Willie (Bill) Ward of Ashe Road, Mullingar, (formerly Lecarrow, County Roscommon), passed away peacefully in the loving care of his family after an illness borne with dignity, acceptance and humility.

Willie was born in 1935, the eldest of 10 children. At the age of 16, he went to work with the ESB in Longford and Athlone, before settling in Mullingar. He lodged with Mrs Josephine Hynes, Ashe Road, where he met and fell in love with her daughter Kathleen. In 1960 they were married.

Their marriage spanned 65 years of loving devotion to each other. In that time, they had four children, Patricia, Marie, Gerard and Catherine.

Willie adored and cherished each of his children, 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was deeply involved in the lives of all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Willie was first and foremost a family man, devoting his time and energy to enhancing the lives of those dearest to him, and just as his work with the ESB helped to light the streets and towns of the midlands, Willie illuminated the lives of all who knew him with his kindness and love.

In his youth, Willie often graced the stage, partaking in recitations and plays. He was an avid non-fiction reader and a prolific poet. A book of Willie’s poetry was presented at the altar at the commencement of his funeral Mass. Words were his forte.

He was a genial man who loved to have conversations with everyone he met. Community was incredibly important to Willie. He served as a director of Mullingar Credit Union for many years, and after retiring from that role, he continued to visit the offices for chats and coffee. He was also a member of Mullingar Bowls Club for many years.

At the core of Willie’s life was his faith. He survived a grave illness in his 20s after travelling as a patient to Lourdes. His devotion to Our Lady led him back to Lourdes more than 20 times with Kathleen. He also visited Fatima and the Holy Land. Willie was a steward in the Cathedral of Christ the King for more than 40 years. An active member of St Vincent de Paul, Willie was the original ‘furniture man’ in Mullingar, collecting and delivering items to those in need. He visited the sick in hospital and homes, delivered the Sacred Heart Messenger to Mullingar residents, frequented Mass in Mullingar and during his illness viewed Mass on his laptop.

Willie, quietly and without a need for fanfare, displayed true Christian values throughout his life. Willie was a man of integrity, humility and kindness, a man who loved life, his family and friends, his parish and his community.

On Friday morning, September 12, he was laid to rest in Ballyglass Cemetery, after a long life well lived, surrounded by his beloved family and friends. May his gentle soul rest in peace.