Charles Sterling Ward was born in Cleveland, Ohio, April 27, 1928, the son of Charles Steven and Irma Sophia Ward. He attended Anthony Wayne Elementary, Oliver Hazard Perry Junior High and Collinwood High School, graduating in 1946. He graduated from National Radio School following twenty-two months in the U.S. Navy.
Charles was married on December 27, 1946 to Shirley M. Gerbrand. To this marriage two children were born. They are members of the Mentor United Methodist Church.
M. W. Brother Ward has been the Secretary-Treasurer of Mentor Television, Inc. since its beginning in 1950. He has served as President of the Mentor Junior Chamber of Commerce and President and Board Member of The Credit Bureau of Willoughby. He is a member of the Y. M. C. A.
M. W. Brother Ward was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on May 27, 1954, and served as Worshipful Master of Temple Lodge No. 28, in 1963. He was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Painesville Chapter No. 46, R. A. M., January 5, 1955. He was greeted in Painesville Council No. 104, R. & S. M., January 17, 1955. He was created a Knights Templar in Eagle Commandery No. 29, K. T., May 14, 1956.
He became a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, April 26, 1969. He served as the High Priest of Bahurim Council, Prince of Jerusalem, Valley of Cleveland. He was crowned Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Honorary Member of the Supreme Council 33 Degree, in Boston, Massachusetts, September 24, 1975.
He is a member of Al Koran Temple, A. A. O. N.M. S.; Caliph Grotto, M. O. V. P. E. R.; Royal Order of Jesters; Royal Order of Scotland. He is also a member of Ohio Lodge of Research; Allied Masonic Degrees; Masonic Veterans Association of Ohio; High Twelve Club of Painesville; Interstate Scottish Rite 32 Degree Club of Cleveland; Honorary Legion of Honor, International Order of DeMolay and Urania Chapter No. 284, O. E. S.
In October 1968, he was appointed District Deputy Grand Master in the Twenty-Fifth Masonic District and served in 1969 and 1970. In October 1970, Most Worshipful Brother Donald M. Thomson appointed him to the office of Junior Grand Deacon. He was subsequently appointed Senior Grand Deacon, Grand Marshal, and Grand Orator.
He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1973, Senior Grand Warden in 1974, and Deputy Grand Master in 1975. On October 23, 1976, at Cincinnati, Ohio, he was elected and installed as Grand Master of Masons in Ohio.
M. W. Brother Ward now resides in N. Ft. Myers, Florida.