NEW HANOVER COUNTY — Henry Vance Ward, Jr. died at age 76 of natural causes on September 7, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was born in New Hanover County, NC on May 25, 1949 to Henry Vance Ward Sr. and Florence Fields Ward. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sibling Jane R Ward and nephew Bryce L Ward.
He is survived by sons Henry Goodson Ward and Andrew O’Kelley Ward and by brothers Harold Fields Ward and Jacob Tucker Ward.
Ward attended New Hanover High School and received a BA in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He later received his juris doctor (JD) from Wake Forest University Law School and practiced law for many years in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was an active member of Saint Michael’s Episcopal Church in Raleigh and participated in missionary trips to Belize and Louisiana after hurricane Katrina.
Van deeply loved God the Father, Jesus Christ his Lord, and the Holy Spirit. This was shown by his love for his family and friends and by his compassion for others.
Van strongly believed in the power of prayer. He committed himself to intercessory prayer and encouraged others to do the same.
Family members are kindly declining flower donations.
