WHEREAS, The Washington State Senate joins with the city of Leavenworth, surrounding communities, and the Ward family in celebrating the life and vast contributions of Jim Ward; and
     WHEREAS, On May 12, 1942, Jim Ward was born in Wenatchee, Washington to Lloyd and Doris Ward; and
     WHEREAS, Jim was a resident of the Upper Valley of Washington for over sixty years, graduating from Leavenworth High School in 1960; earning an Associates of Arts degree from Wenatchee Valley College; and then a degree in Mortuary Science from California College of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles, California; and
     WHEREAS, Jim married Wilda Rayfield in 1961; and
     WHEREAS, Following his graduation from California College of Mortuary Science, Jim and Wilda returned to Leavenworth where, with his dad Lloyd, Jim constructed Ward's Funeral Chapel, which he and Wilda have since operated; and
     WHEREAS, In 2007, the Washington State Funeral Directors Association named Jim the Funeral Director of the Year, only the fourteenth time the award had been given in the Association's one hundred six-year history; and
     WHEREAS, For over forty years, with kindness, generosity, and love Jim served the community of Leavenworth; and
     WHEREAS, Jim started the first ambulance service in Leavenworth where he served as director for fifteen years and was instrumental in securing the first 911 system in the valley that for many years he answered and operated from his home; and
     WHEREAS, Jim was a devout member of the Leavenworth Community United Methodist Church and served as a Leavenworth city councilman and later mayor; and
     WHEREAS, As Mayor Jim was influential in the development of Waterfront Park, the paving of Front Street, and was invited to the White House by President Jimmy Carter to speak on urban water and utilities issues; and
     WHEREAS, Jim was deeply involved in many community organizations including: Member and past president of the Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival and the Grand Marshal of the 1997 parade; board member of the Cascade Medical Center Foundation in 1997; commissioner of the Cascade Medical Center Hospital District; Citizen of the Year as selected by the Cascade Medical Center Foundation in 1997; member of the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce and honored by the Chamber in 2007 with the Spirit of Leavenworth Award; and
     WHEREAS, Due to Jim's dedicated service to all veteran and military personnel, he was inducted as an honorary member of the American Legion Post of Cashmere and in 2007 received from the Leavenworth Rotary, The Paul Harris Fellow Designation, which exemplifies "Service Above Self"; and
     WHEREAS, On September 17th, 2008, Jim Ward passed away at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee; and
     WHEREAS, Jim is survived by his lovely wife Wilda; three children and their spouses, Jim and Melissa Ward, Lona and Doug Parton, and Denise and Alan Unis; and his six beautiful grandchildren, Kellen, Evan, Noelle, Juliea, Caroline, and Jesse; and
     WHEREAS, Jim's dynamic and friendly personality, generous and giving nature, and constant gentleman-like demeanor earned him many friends and admirers throughout the State of Washington;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate hereby acknowledge and honor the lasting impression of Jim Ward's selfless service to Washington State's North Central Valley and the community of Leavenworth; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Wilda Ward and the City of Leavenworth.