Ward Wagner Jr.

Ward Wagner, Jr., aged 87, died peacefully at home on February 21 surrounded by family. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama the only son and preceded in death by A. Ward Wagner, Sr. and Lucille Lockhart Wagner. He attended undergraduate at University of Florida, but interrupted his studies to serve in the United States Coast Guard. Following his service, Ward completed college and then attended the University of Florida law school during which he met his beloved Ruth.

Following graduation from law school, Ward and Ruth married and moved to West Palm Beach Florida where he began his practice at Miller & Hewitt as trial attorney for victims rights. The firm was eventually known as Wagner, Nugent, Johnson and Roth where he was the managing partner and President. In the course of Ward’s practice, he forged strong friendships with his partners and members of the legal community. He was known as a favorite among the judiciary because of his integrity and legal acumen.

Ward was a prominent figure in the community and the legal profession. Among his many titles were Vice President, President, and Member of the Board of Governors of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and lifetime Honorary Trustee of the Roscoe Pound-ATLA Foundation. He was a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the International Society of Barristers. He was on the Board of Governors of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers and the Board of Directors of the Palm Beach County Bar Association. Ward was the author of Jury Selection, Art of Advocacy Series and a contributing author to Anatomy of a Personal Injury Lawsuit and Masters of Trial Practice, and was an invited lecturer at numerous trial seminars around the country.

Throughout his life, Ward was committed to philanthropy to his much loved alma mater, the University of Florida, where he and Ruth gave endowments and he served as President of the Florida Boosters and the President of the Florida Foundation of the Gator Nation. He also devoted his time and resources to his church, Holy Trinity, the Boys and Girls Club, and other local organizations.

Ward cherished his many friends here and in North Carolina with whom he enjoyed a good game of tennis and golf. He loved traveling with family here and abroad.

Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Ward is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Ruth Shingler Wagner, daughters Celia, Julie, and Helen and grand children Carrie, Michael, Sarah, Ilya, Rebecca and Ryan.

Services will be Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, West Palm Beach, Florida. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in his memory to a charity of your choice.