Paul Wesley Ward

Long-time community member Paul Ward passed away peacefully on Jan. 27, just down the road from where he grew up. Born in 1923 to a line of orchardists, ministers and abolitionists, he was baptized in the local Methodist Church. As a child, he rode his bike along unpaved Oak Glen Avenue, swam in Llagas Creek, hunted wild game in the hills, and literally walked across the orchard to attend Machado School. At that time, multiple grades shared the single room, and one of his early duties was lighting the wood stove for heat. He graduated in 1937.

During the Depression, his family was comfortable, thanks to successful cultivation of prunes and walnuts. Paul studied piano and loved listening to cowboy music and jazz on the radio. The family even took road trips, once driving to eastern Canada to meet his mother's family. While attending Live Oak High School, Paul received honors, enjoyed sports, and was chosen as a delegate to Boy's State in Sacramento. He graduated in June of 1941, serving as salutatorian with a speech on justice, freedom and democracy.

Paul began college at UC Berkeley in September of 1941. He studied forestry, was active in ROTC, participated in the boxing club, and became a lifelong fan of Cal Bears football. The war soon brought his studies to a halt. He enlisted at age 19, and by March 1943 was on a train from Oakland to Texas to begin basic training in the Air Force.

In June of 1944, Paul graduated from flight school in Texas, one of the top fighter pilots in his class. He was retained as instructor and became second lieutenant at age 20. After receiving his wings, he was determined to participate in combat and trained in multiple aircraft, including B-25s and B-26s and the famous B-17s. Soon though, the war ended, and Paul returned to UC Berkeley in 1946.

During an economics class in Wheeler Hall, Paul met Anne Polich. They married the following year. She graduated in Social Work, while he graduated in 1948 with a degree in Forestry. After starting as a log scaler in Stirling City (too remote for Anne), he found work in San Francisco selling redwood lumber, first with Anderson Valley Lumber Company and later with Arcata Redwood Company. He and Anne built a house in the Berkeley hills and started a family in the 1950s. His two sons looked forward to greeting their father upon his return from sales trips, diving into his suitcase for well-hidden motel soaps. Later, the family moved to Eureka, where he became Sales Manager for Arcata Redwood Company.

During all this, Paul followed his father's interest in Masonry and was raised to Master Mason in 1959. He later became a 32 degree Mason with the Scottish Rite. He also traveled throughout his life: west to China, east to Croatia, north to the Arctic Circle, and south to the Amazon River.

In 1973, Paul and family returned to Paradise Valley and moved into the house formerly occupied by his grandparents and great-grandparents and where as a child he saw his first sunrise. He and Anne remodeled and decorated, adding to the vintage feel. Paul said the best decision of his life was to leave the corporate world and return to Morgan Hill, wholesaling lumber with partner Bill Niesen. He later sold on his own, working from his late uncle's hatchery braving cold mornings, stinky wet dogs, and trying not to let the roosters interrupt sales calls. In 2014 he was chosen as Old Time Lumberman of the Year by industry colleagues.

Paul helped found the Machado School Heritage Society, dedicated to preserving the old schoolhouse. He was president for 35 years and enjoyed working with other volunteers to host annual picnics. He could be sighted at the local flea market on weekends, getting face-painted at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, enjoying the community at the annual Founders dinners, and having lunches around town. He especially liked Rosy's At the Beach, where he met with friends every Friday and received generous martinis. His lunches with Pete Musachia and family were noisy with laughter and among the highlights of his later years.

Paul was predeceased by his wife Anne, sister Wilma, and brother John. He is survived by sons Ron and Robert and Robert's partner Martin Guerrero.

Paul will be remembered for his honesty, generosity, and his love of laughter and good times. A memorial celebration will be announced in early Spring.

Those interested in contributing on his behalf are welcome to help support the Morgan Hill United Methodist Church, the Machado School Historical Society or the Morgan Hill Historical Society.

Published in Morgan Hill Times and Press Banner · February 17, 2023