William D. Ward

He was born in Greensburg, PA in 1934, son of the late Harold W and Florence (Smith) Ward. He graduated from Mamaroneck High School (NY), attended University of Connecticut and graduated from University of Michigan in 1955 with a BS in Mathematics. He began his career serving in the U.S. Air Force, achieving the rank of Captain at completion of duty in 1957. He joined Aetna Life & Casualty in 1955 as an actuarial student achieving Associate in the Society of Actuaries, Enrolled Actuary, and Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He was a Charter Associate Member of the Society of Financial Examiners. He held a variety of roles in his 46 years with the company in accounting policy, state relations, reporting, and tax planning. During his career, he was actively involved with life, health, and property/casualty industry affairs; he chaired several NAIC advisory committees concerned with risk-based capital, securities valuation, investment issues, accounting practice and blanks issues. He also chaired insurance trade association committees and frequently spoke at industry conferences on similar issues.

He was also active in the Episcopal Church, University of Michigan Club of Greater Hartford/Springfield, nature conservation, and historic preservation activities.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Edith (Delano) Ward of Chatham, MA; his daughter, Elizabeth (Ward) Chicares and her husband Gregory W. Chicares of Glastonbury, CT; and his son, David D. Ward and his wife Kimberly Ward of Monterey Bay, CA and the St Croix River Valley, WI.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, July 21, 2023, at 2pm, in St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 625 Main St, Chatham.