Benedict, Ward Norbert

Gastonia, NC/ formerly of Ontario, NY:  Age 79, the son of the late William Henry and Alma Holtz Benedict, passed away on December 1, 2014 in North Carolina.  Ward lived with his wife, Janet "Cone" Benedict in Kings Mtn.  Ward is also survived by his sons Michael (Kelly) Benedict of Gastonia, and Stephen (Elena) Benedict of Belmont; daughter, Heather (Paul) Tallent of Arab, Alabama; four grandchildren, one great grandchild, nieces, nephews other family and friends.  Ward was predeceased by his brothers Billy and John Benedict and sister Sue Randall.

Ward was a veteran of the United States Army and had served during the Korean War.  He was the founder of Benedict Millworks where they specialize in custom carpentry. Aside from  woodworking, Ward enjoyed gardening and forestry.  Ward was also an avid reader.  A memorial service for Ward was held on December 3, 2014 at the Founders Chapel of McLean Funeral Directors in Gastonia, NC. A graveside service, with military honors, will be offered on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 11AM at Furnaceville Cemetery in Ontario, NY.  Memorials for Ward may be made to the Heritage Square Museum, 7147 Ontario Center Road, Ontario, NY 14519, or, Hospice & Palliative Care Lincoln Co., 900 Dontia Drive, Lincolnton, NC 28092.  Online condolences may be left at www.mcleanfuneral.com , and, or www.murphyfuneralservices.com .

Biography:  Ward Benedict was born to Alma and William Benedict on September 1, 1935.  He was raised on the famiily dairy farm locted on the corner of Lincoln and Ridge Roads in Ontario, NY.  After graduating from the old Ontario High School, he was drafted into the United States and served as a lineman during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning to the States, Ward enrolled in Paul Smiths College's Forestry Department. His brother John had an unfortunate accident on the farm, so Ward cut his college career short and returned home to help on the farm while his brother recuperated.  In 1961, he married Janet Cone at the First Presbyterian Church, in Ontario.  They built their first home on a parcel of land that had been in the Cone family for generations. Ward had a love of woodworking and he was encouraged to develop that skill by both his uncle and father.  Ward went on to run a small cabinet shop and became a well respected carpenter while living in Ontario, NY.  The depressed economy of the late 1970's, his quest to provide for his family that now included his sons, Mike, Steve and daughter Heather, encouraged him to seek opportunity elsewhere.  On July 3, 1979, the family moved to Gastonia, NC to start a new chapter in their lives.

Upon their arrival in NC, Ward became an interior trim carpenter.  The entire family spent days and, even some weekends, working together to trim out homes while they got themselves established.  Ward passed on his love of carpentry, passion for perfection and skills of parenting to his children. Ward and Janet created Benedict Millworks with their two sons.  Heather turned to her calling to be a teacher.  Ward retired in 2010 but would continue to maintain a close eye on his company, employees and his sons.  He had a small workshop behind his house which served for projects he never had time to build, or that Benedict Millworks was not able to complete.  He often could be found repairing someone's furniture, or taking on small cabinet projects that brought him more satisfaction then income. One such person was a local pastor.  He came to Ward's service held in NC.  He wanted the family to know how much the congregation appreciated the interior railings, podium and hymn sign board that ward made.  Ward had accompanied his son Steve on mission trips that his church went on to help families in flood regions in the South.  Ward was a person who seldom entered a church sanctuary but he lived by God's word through helping others in need and treating others with great respect.  Every Sunday, you could find Ward, and his dogs, listening to the church services on the radio in his shop.

Ward had two other loves.  One was for animals.  Esecially dogs.  His other love was gardenting.  He loved to plant.  He would harvest his crop and would share with those who visited his home, or often with his dogs who were always by his side.

Ward and Janet were also blessed with many friends.  There were a lot of visits to the Benedict home.  It was not uncommon to find multiple visitors and they appreciated it very much.  Good, lifelong friendships, that don't seem to be as common in today's world.

Wards passions for woodworking, volunteering and animals still live on today with his family.  Ward was extremely proud of his grandchildren.  One of his proudest moments was when in the Spring of 2013 he was asked to pin the Fireman's Pi of Honor on his grandson Daniel's chest.  Daniel had entered, and successfully completed, his time at firefighting school.  Ward took great pride in being asked to do this as he, too, was once a fireman and had served as a volunteer with the Ontario, NY Fire Company.  His funeral service in Gastonia, NC was a  tribute that friends got to witness.  Anyone would have been honored to have a service that reflected the type of man Ward Bendict was and how he had successfully passed it on to his family and left a fine legacy.  Daniel's pastor, along with a family friend officiated the services.  His oldest grandson giving a heartfelt tribute and his granddaughter playing "How Great Though Art" on the piano.  The small chapel, once thought to be too large, was filled to capacity with friends, family, firefighters, veterans and well-wishers fro all around.  Although Ward is greatly missed, we all have a warm feeling and the knowledge of knowing that we will someday meet again.