SEARSPORT - Elliott "Bill" Ward Jr., 62, passed away Nov. 8, 2016, at the Maine Veterans Hospital in Togus. He was born Feb. 14, 1954, in Torrington, Conn., to the late Elliott Ward Sr. and Irene Howard Ward, and he grew up in Maine.

Bill proudly served an enlistment in the United States Air Force. He was a former Searsport Selectman, president of the Searsport Lions Club and former commissioner of Waldo County Little League. Bill enjoyed playing golf and teaching his daughter to play. He enjoyed many sports; especially the New England Patriots and the New York Yankees teams.

Surviving are his soul mate, Marie Rita Dakin of Searsport; his daughter, Nicole Lovely and her husband, Jason, of Bucksport; his sons and grandsons, Nicholas Dakin and his wife, Jami, and their sons, Brayden and Kasen Dakin, of Stockton and Scott Dakin and his wife, Jenny, and their baby boy-to-be, of Searsport; his brothers, Russell Ward and his wife, Kathy, of Minnesota, and Dennis Ward and his wife, Mieko, of Okinawa; his sister, Cora Dean Ward, and one other sister; his special aunts, Barbara Howard and Jean Howard; his dear friend, Larry McKeen; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, Nov. 13, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave. in Belfast, immediately followed by a celebration of life service at 3:30 p.m. Burial in the Maine Veterans Cemetery will be held privately at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bill's name to the Searsport Lions Club, 44 Prospect St., Searsport, ME 04974.