William J. Ward, Sr. was born on April 12, 1931 in San Francisco, CA to Floyd & Edna Ward, he moved to Tenino, WA at the age of 15.
Bill graduated from Tenino High School, Western Washington University, and University of Washington. He married E. Eleanor Lycan, his high school sweetheart in 1952. Children: Bill Jr. (Janine), Pat (Cheri) and daughter, Louisa (Alan) Shimamoto and five grandchildren Kevin, Kyle & Erin Ward, Kalani Bunda & Elizabeth Shimamoto.
He quoted 3 loves in his life: his wife, his family and basketball. “I enjoy working with young people and their energies; he said. “I like basketball and the people in it.” “We’ve developed some fine citizens in our programs.” Bill was a teacher and first basketball coach at Mercer Island schools from 1953 to 1956. They smashed through to end their first season of their Varsity basketball history defeating Bellevue’s B Squad. Bill & Eleanor then later moved to Yelm, where he taught and coached three sports for five years. In 1958, he coached the Yelm High School Boys Basketball Team to the State B Championship. Bill moved his young family to Tumwater in 1961, where he was one of the first teachers and coaches hired to the new high school. Along with his teaching duties, he also coached football, basketball, track, and boys & girls golf until his retirement in 1991. Ward was the only Tumwater Thunderbirds Basketball coach for 25 years and retired in 1986. He retired with the state’s highest winning record for high school coaches. 715 games, with 374 wins.
He continued teaching and coaching golf until his retirement in 1991.
The Tacoma News Tribune stated in an article “Like the brewery, Bill Ward is part of Tumwater landscape. The Washington State Senate honored Ward March 24, 1986 with Resolution 1986-191 commending him on his dedication to teaching young people academic and athletic skills and was introduced by Stuart Halsan State Senator, of the 20th District. “The dedication to young people exhibited by Bill Ward has had a profound effect upon hundreds of young men and women, embodying the very best of Washington State high school athletic programs,” the resolution concluded.
Wardisms: “Giving up is NOT an OPTION” “Don’t Ever, Ever give up!”
“If it is to be, it is up to ME” “Be your BEST COACH not your WORST ENEMY” “You CAN and WILL do it”
715 Games: 374 Victories-339 Losses, 24 Tournament Entries
Mercer Island High School (1953-1956); Yelm High School (1956-1961): 2008 YHS Hall of Fame, 57-58 Coach of the Year, State B Champions, 56-57 3rd. in State Tumwater High School (1961-1986): 2012 THS Hall of Fame, 81-82 4th in Regionals, 75-76 Black Hills, Coach of the Year, 3rd in State AA
