Pawleys Island: Ralph Howard Ward, 77, husband of Frances Ann Jones Ward, died Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at Myrtle Beach Manor after a long illness. Mr. Ward was born in Conway on January 17, 1940, the son of the late Ralph Ward and Johnnie Woodbury Ward. He grew up in Georgetown and Pawleys Island and graduated from Winyah High School in 1958 and was President of his senior Class. Mr. Ward also graduated with a degree in Industrial Management from Clemson University in 1963. At Clemson he was a co-founder and served as president of the Sigma Kappa Epsilon fraternity. As a young man, Mr. Ward helped his father built a beach house, "Suit's Me", at Pawleys Island. Some of the materials were salvaged from Hurricane Hazel debris. He also helped with his mother's food catering business. After graduation from Clemson, he worked with Esso (now Exxon). After his marriage to Frances, the couple moved across the Carolina's advancing his career. They lived in a number of places including Raleigh, NC, Charlotte, NC, and Rocky Mount, NC. In 1976, the Ward family moved to Lilburn, GA, where he managed a series of printing companies. After he retired in 2002 from Sonoco, they moved to Pawleys Island to live. He served Pawleys Island and his community in a variety of roles and was dedicated to the great cause of keeping Pawleys Island a traditional family beach town. He served on the Pawleys Island's Chapel Board, Town Council, and Planning Commission, all of which benefited from his devoted efforts. Mr. Ward was Treasurer of the Georgetown County Republican Party and helped to coordinate candidates and their funding. Surviving in addition to his wife of Pawleys Island are: a son, Ralph Howard Ward, II (Susan) of Suwanee, GA; a daughter, Morgan Ward Chandler (Brian) of Frisco, TX; two sisters; Johnnie Mae Bonnoitt and Julia "Judy" Myers, both of Pawleys Island; and five grand-children, Jacob, Joshua and Ethan Ward, and Conner and Casey Crane. Memorial services will be at two o'clock Saturday afternoon, April 8, 2017, at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Dr. Dora Gafford. The family will receive friends prior to the service in the Church Parlor from 12:30 until 1:30 PM. Sign a guestbook at: www.mayerfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial to: Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, 904 Highmart St., Georgetown, SC 29440 or The Pawleys Island Chapel, PO Box 164, Pawleys Island, SC 29585 The Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Funeral Home: Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home 222 Saint James Street Georgetown, SC US 29440