Raymond Ward Wike

Raymond Ward Wike passed away Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at the amazing age of 99. A proud member of “The Greatest Generation”. He was born on October 26, 1925 in Belsano, Pennsylvania. Ward served in the Navy during World War II in the South Pacific at 18 years old. After the war, Ward came home and married the love of his life Ruth and became a resident of Norton for nearly 70 years. They had one son Clifton (Skip) in 1948. Ward was employed at PPG Industries for 20 plus years and retired from Yellow Freight. In his retirement he worked for Manchester Schools mowing and doing maintenance. Ward loved the outdoors. Most days you could find him tending to his beautiful garden full of tomatoes and elephant garlic that he graciously gave to his family and friends all summer. If he wasn’t in his yard, you could most certainly find him in his garage fixing something or building miniature bird houses. Ward loved colorful things. He created wonderful yard decorations.There were many red, white and blue creations spinning and chiming in the wind when you visited his home. Above all, Old Glory, the American Flag was flying high! Ward truly enjoyed all the seasons of the year. He loved to fish with his friends at Lake Dorothy and in the Fall and Winter he was an avid rabbit and pheasant hunter. Most days when it was too cold for most, he hit the ground running… straight to the woods with his beagle and his single shot .410 shotgun. Almost to his final days, he still got out and walked and enjoyed a great number of truly good friends and neighbors. Picnics and company outings at the PPG Lake Dorothy pavilions were his favorite…so many long time genuine friends to laugh and share life with. Ward always made sure he could get his grandchildren and great grandchildren included in these wonderful events. Above all, Ward was a humble, honest man and people knew it. If you were a friend of his, you were a friend for life. I truly believe that any day you spent with Ward Wike, you left feeling better about life and carried that in your own. His positive outlook on life and his laughter was contagious. We are all lucky to have met him. Never forget that white hair and handlebar mustache. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Clifton “Kip”, Jesse, Leo and Duane; sisters, Bessie, Lois and Kathleen and his wife, Ruth. Ward is survived by his son, Clifton “Skip” Wike; grandsons, Tim (Tami) and Rick (Laura); great-grandchildren, Ryan, Jenna, Malori and Krista; sister, Barbara Jean Dyer; along with other family member and friends. A graveside service was held for immediate family at Lakewood Cemetery.  

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