Ward was born to John White (1838-1910) and Susan Malott (1846-1872) on March 21, 1870 in Leamington, Ontario.

Ward was a member of the Salvation Army.

On September 1, 1897 Ward married his long-time friend Etta in her family’s home located at 43 Schneider Avenue, Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario. The couple moved to Leamington, Ontario and had their first child, Wilfrid Herbert White on February 20, 1899. Wilfrid died at four months of age on June 4, 1899.

In 1900 Ward moved out west to homestead in Alberta with Etta’s brothers Arthur and Austin and her father Tobias. Subsequently, Etta returned home to Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario to give birth to their second child, Dorothy Etta. Etta died from complications of childbirth shortly after.

Ward stayed in Alberta and proposed marriage to Etta’s sister Sophie. Sophie declined his proposal.

In 1908 Ward moved to Chilliwack, British Columbia and worked as a contractor. He helped build the extension of the Chilliwack hospital, nurses’ home, and Methodist church. Later, he worked as a caretaker of municipals schools until he retired.

Ward married Ella Feeg (nee Hunsperger) and helped her raise her three children from a previous relationship; Benjamin, Gilbert and Beatrice.

Ward died on May 1, 1948 in Chilliwack, British Columbia.