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2015 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 865
Celebrating the life of William Norman Ward.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 20, 2015
Agreed to by the Senate, February 25, 2015

 

WHEREAS, William Norman Ward of Manassas, a dedicated disability advocate, a man of faith, a devoted husband and father, a sports enthusiast, and a Civil War collector, died on December 29, 2014; and

WHEREAS, William Ward, who was also known as Bill, was an alumnus of George Mason University; he was raised in Centreville and lived his life in the area and became a prominent leader in the disability community; and

WHEREAS, Bill Ward had a loving wife and daughter, both of whom brought much joy, love, and meaning to his life; and

WHEREAS, Bill Ward sustained a spinal cord injury while body surfing in Virginia Beach that resulted in paralysis from the neck down; the experience changed his life and led to new ways to maneuver through life using assistive technology and personal assistants; and

WHEREAS, as a lifelong member of the Centreville United Methodist Church, Bill Ward worked to bring understanding, compassion, and opportunity to all; and

WHEREAS, Bill Ward was an active member of his community, an unwavering advocate seeking justice and empowerment, and a positive influence on many people with and without disabilities; he lived his life with a sense of purpose, laughter, and love; and

WHEREAS, as a leader in the disability independent living movement, Bill Ward was a peer mentor at the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia; he went on to establish the Independence Empowerment Center in Manassas, where he served as executive director; and

WHEREAS, Bill Ward also served as director of the Loudoun ENDependence Center, and he served on the Prince William County Disability Services Board, Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council, Virginia Assistive Technology Council, and Virginia State Rehabilitative Council; and

WHEREAS, Bill Ward will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Beth; daughter, Gretchen; his mother and six siblings and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of William Norman Ward, a devoted family man and friend to many, who worked for justice and inclusion of people with disabilities; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of William Norman Ward as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.