Ward James Connelly

Ward James Connelly, 89, Green Bay, died peacefully Monday, Feb. 2, 2015 with family by his side. Ward was a gentle, quiet man who was loved dearly by his family. He married Beatrice Elizabeth Champeau at Holy Cross Church on June 12, 1945. Together they had eight children and were married for 62 years before Bea’s death in 2007.

Ward served in the navy during WWII and was the ship’s baker. After returning, Ward and Bea owned and operated Honey Bee Bakery in Green Bay. Ward was employed by Chicago Northwestern Railroad for over thirty years.

Ward was a wonderful father who was there for his children at all times. He was an inspiration to many demonstrating incredible will-power by achieving sobriety for over fifty-eight years. He loved to “putter” with cars and was able to fix anything, which was a great asset when the family went on trips in their motor home. Ward was a member of the Whirl-a-Ways Square Dance Club and loved to play Bingo.

Ward is survived by his children and their spouses, Connie and Ron Tillmann of Green Bay, Jim and Barb Connelly of Sobieski, Terry and Albert Flores of Kaiserslautern, Germany, Amy and David Wilinski of Sobieski, and Kim and Kory Goral of Green Bay; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Rose (Sampo) Connelly; wife, Beatrice; three sons, Pat, Tom and Mike; son-in-law, Gary Nelson; grandson, Rick Nelson; brother, Bernard; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Per Ward’s wishes there will be no memorial or funeral services. His ashes will be placed next to his beloved’s at Fort Howard Memorial Park.

Ward’s family expresses their gratitude and thanks to the staff at Angel’s Touch Assisted Living for their care and philosophy of “living in Dad’s world with him”.