Castleton, VT Raymond Ward, 85, died Sunday morning March 21, 2010 after a short battle with cancer. He was born January 23, 1925 in Glens Falls, NY, the son of the late Arthur B Ward Jr. & Florence (Lancing) He moved at the age of three in 1928 with his family to Pond Hill in Castleton where he became known as The Mayor of Pond Hill and he never left. Ray was a member of Hiram Lodge # 101 F & A.M. of West Rutland and the Gilman Chapter # 88 O.E.S. West Rutland having served in many officer chairs in these two organizations. He was a former member of the Vermont National Guard. Ray was employed by Ellis Orchard and Agway Feed for many years; by the Rutland County Sheriffs Department under Sheriff Lee D. Jones and was presently an employee at the Ducharme Funeral Home. He was also the first police officer in the Town of Castleton and served as a deputy Game Warden. He is survived by his wife Marie (Berg) Ward, whom he married June 3, 1950 in Ira, Vt and who have been together for 60 years; his two sons, Kenneth Ward & his wife June, of Castleton and Robert Ward & his wife Carrie, of Castleton, by his two daughters, Kathy Hayes & her husband Mark, of Pittsford, and Nancy Ward, of Castleton. By his sisters, Thelma Green & her husband Russell, of Gloversville, NY, Marilyn Cole, of Willimatic, CT and Wilma Preston & her husband Richard, of Charlotte, VT. by his grandchildren Jean Marie Bell & her husband Tony, of Rutland, Jesse Miller & his wife Nicole, of Germany, James Julius & his wife Naomi, of Whitehall, NY, Amanda Turcotte & her husband Ryan, of Bangor, ME, Alison Patterson & her husband Jamie, of Castleton, Charles Ward, Hillary Ward, Kelsie Ward and Molly Ward, all of Castleton. By his sixteen great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews & cousins. He will also be missed by his special friends Linda, Doug & Shelia, Reggie and also by his loyal dog Max. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday March 23, 2010 at 2 PM at the Castleton Federated Church. The Rev. Robert Noble will officiate. Calling hours will be held on Monday March 22, 2010 from 4 PM to 8 PM at the Ducharme Funeral Home, located at 1939 Main Street, Castleton. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Camp Ta- kum- Ta in care of the Funeral Home at P.O. Box 474 Castleton, VT 05735.