He served in the US Navy as a lieutenant from 1942 until 1946. While stationed in Pensacola Florida he was considered a Naval Aviator, Naval Instructor, and Squadron leader.

He was a member of the Fist Presbyterian Church of Olean where he served as an elder and on other various committees. He was also a volunteer for the Olean Interfaith Caregivers.

When Ward returned from war he joined his father in Vincent Wilday Buick, a GM dealership in Olean, and later formed his own dealership Wards Fine Cars on East State Street in Olean in which he was known for his honesty and integrity.

Mr. Wilday was an avid sportsman, former Olean City tennis champion, as well as an accomplished badminton and racquet ball player. He was a strong advocate for and actively involved in the Olean YMCA where he served as a former president and attended on a regular basis. He was an honoree for the Olean YMCA Salute to Olean for outstanding Community Service.

Ward loved sailing and skiing. He was a former commodore of the Cuba Lake Yacht Club, sailing lightning class at both the district and national levels. Skiing until the age of 83 he was a former Wing Hollow Ski Club president and 35 year member of Holimont Ski club.

Surviving in addition to his wife are a son, Ward C. "Skip" (Greta) Wilday of Cuba; two daughters, Paula (Paul) Chisholm of Venice, Florida, and Cynthia (Stephen Jr.) Ebsary of Ellicotville; seven grandchildren, Courtney, Oksana, and Trek Wilday, Tim Ebsary, Bill (Melanie Barr) Ebsary, Robin (John) Herbon, and Beth (Jim) Woods; four great grandchildren; a sister, Phylis Doyle of Olean; a brother in law, John Doyle; and nephews, Jim Clark and Paul Clark.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by a sister, Evelyn Wilday; a daughter Sara E. Bradley on June 30, 2009, a granddaughter, Kaleigh Wilday on September 25, 2002; and a brother in law, Charles R. Clark.

Friends will be received at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 9 Bull Street, Cuba, on Saturday, August 1, 2009 from 2:00 until 5:00 P.M. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, August 2, 2009 in the First Presbyterian Church, 212 Laurens Street, Olean, New York 14760 at 1:00 P.M. The Rev. Gary Larson, retired, will officiate.

Burial will be in Mount View Cemetery, Olean, New York.

Memorial suggestions include the Kaleigh Wilday Foundation, 211 N. Union Street, Olean, New York 14760, or to the Olean YMCA for member scholarships, 1101 Wayne Street, Olean, New York 14760.