Clarence Walden Ward

Clarence Walden Ward was born in St Louis Missouri on November 18, 1921. He was the son of the late Clarence Waldon Swift and Ruby Alice Rankin. Clarence attended and completed High School while in St Louis. After graduating, he enlisted in the US Army in December of 1942 where he served for 3 years fighting in WWII. 

After being discharged from the service Clarence moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and lived in various neighborhoods where he could be seen walking up and down any one of the streets greeting and talking with folks always having kind words and a smile. He loved to get out and walk. He would say “Gotta get out and stretch the ole’ legs.”

In 1960, he met and married the late Cassandra Bost and with this union he fathered three children. Clarence was employed by the US Steel-Carrie Furnace Plant in Rankin, PA., where he worked as a crane operator for 42 years.

Other employment included a yellow cab driver, jitney driver, security guard at Southside hospital and a school crossing guard for Wilkinsburg Schools. 

Clarence enjoyed life. He was a loving husband, father, and friend. He spent quality time with his children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. Disney World, Cedar Point, and Kennywood were some of his favorite places to go.

Clarence’s hobbies included playing cards, bowling, and the lottery. His greatest passion was his love of baseball and his favorite team was the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clarence played for various softball leagues; Carrie Furnace League, Ruby & Debs League, and Penn Hills Senior Softball league.

Clarence accepted the lord early in life. He attended St Marks AME in Wilkinsburg, Manna on High Ministries in East Pittsburgh, and New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Radcliff, Kentucky. In 2012 Clarence relocated to Kentucky to live with his son Raymond and granddaughter Melissa.

Clarence departed this life peacefully on April 27th, 2018 in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Cassandra and his brother Jack Belt. He leaves to celebrate his memory a sister Carol Johnson, 5 children; Larry, Margaret, Raymond, Michelle and Melissa. 15 grandchildren; April , Jerard, Melissa, Joshua, Alexxis, Kumari, Earl, Treyvon, Brittany, Devon, Tiffany, Julian, Skye, Juleta, Monique and 8 great- grandchildren and a host of friends who will miss him dearly. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clarence Walden Ward, please visit our floral store.