06/14/2026
We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Wilda Ward, a longtime and beloved member of our Bavarian Village community and the cherished wife of our late 1988 Kanzler of the Royal Bavarians, Jim Ward.
Wilda served as Royal Lady of the Autumn Festival in 1984 and gave so much of herself to our organization and our community over the years. Her warmth, dedication, and generous spirit touched many lives, and her contributions will be remembered with deep gratitude.
We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the Ward Family, and all who knew and loved Wilda. May we honor her memory by carrying forward her giving nature, service, and community spirit she shared so freely.
Rest in peace, dear Wilda. You will be missed.
Obituary for Wilda Ward
Wilda Faye “Bug” Ward, 87, died Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Mountain Meadows Senior Living in Leavenworth, surrounded by her three children.
She was born in Sevierville, TN, on June 17, 1938, to Oliver and Lona (Barnes) Rayfield. At the age of 12, the family moved from the Smoky Mountains to the upper Wenatchee Valley. They settled in Peshastin, where Wilda graduated from Peshastin High School in 1956. Upon graduation, she began working at Cascade General Hospital as a nurse’s aide, where she met, attended to, and fell in love with a young patient, Jim Ward, whom she married in 1961.
Wilda and Jim ultimately settled in Leavenworth and spent the ensuing years there, where they grew their family and committed themselves to their hometown, as Leavenworth blossomed into the Bavarian Village. They created the first ambulance and emergency dispatch system in the upper valley, operated the Edelweiss hotel and restaurant alongside friends Jim and Judy Gottschalk, and contributed to the community in a variety of other ways. But above all other activities and business ventures, Wilda and Jim dedicated themselves to serving families as founders and owner/operators of Ward’s Funeral Chapel, a passion they shared for 38 years. After Jim’s passing in 2008, Wilda, with professional assistance from long-time family friend and provider, Dan Scott, continued to serve families for another 10 years.
Wilda is survived by her three children: Jim, Jr. (Missy) Ward, Lona (Doug) Parton, and Denise Ward; six grandchildren: Kellen (Sarah) Parton, Evan (Leah) Parton, Noelle (Aidan) Swenson, Juliea (Shawn) Smith, Caroline (Daniel) Fitzgerald, and Jesse (Callie) Ward; and 15 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, John (Hazel) Rayfield, and aunt Myrtle Floyd. She was preceded in death by her parents, Oliver and Lona Rayfield; husband, Jim Ward, Sr.; sisters Avis Higginbotham, Marie Hurst, Lillie Mae Franklin, and Doris Nierman; and brother, Curtis Rayfield.
Wilda was a resident of Mountain Meadows Senior Living for the last four years, where she was a fixture in the lobby, performing duties as unofficial greeter and occasional bouncer.
Our gratitude to the entire staff of Mountain Meadows for their endless professionalism and compassion towards Bug can never be overstated.
